Ramkarpal says...
1. The special committee set up for the purpose of investigating MACC chief Azam Baki’s alleged share ownership in two companies risks being labelled ineffective and a potential toothless tiger for at least four reasons.
2. First, the said committee does not have any investigative powers such as the power to produce documents or powers to compel the appearance of witnesses in the Criminal Procedure Code.
3. In such circumstances, it is unlikely that the committee will be able to obtain information other than Azam’s own version of events and will probably end up reporting that its conclusions are limited, very much like the Independent Investigation Committee (IIC) did in the case of the investigations into seven heritage football players following a FIFA ban for fraudulent documentation recently.
4. Second, the Terms of Reference of the said committee does not seem to include an investigation into allegations of collusion by the MACC with businessmen to force take overs of companies owned by their rivals as reported by Bloomberg in its report titled, “Who’s Watching Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Watchdog” dated 12.2.2026 (“the said article”).
5. The announcement of the formation of the said committee by Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Bin Abu Bakar in a statement dated 13.2.2026 refers only to investigations into Azam’s ownership of shares in the said companies.
6. There can be no doubt that Bloomberg’s allegations of MACC’s collusion with businessmen is just as serious as its allegations of Azam’s ownership of shares and must be thoroughly investigated as well.
7. Furthermore, Bloomberg’s said allegation of collusion, as reflected in the said article, was published on 12.2.2026, a day before cabinet met and discussed the matter on 13.2.2026.
8. As such, there is no reason why the allegations in the said article should not be subject to investigations by the said committee as well.
9. Third, the appointment of the Attorney General as head of the said committee raises a potential conflict of interest in that it would be inappropriate for the AG to recommend Azam’s prosecution in the event he is found to have committed wrongdoing as a result of the said investigations, as it is elementary that the AG cannot investigate and prosecute at the same time.
10. I am of the view that both of the allegations by Bloomberg ought to be investigated by an independent committee, the members of which, ought to have no interest in the outcome of those investigations.
11. Fourth is the fact that Azam has not been directed to go on leave pending the said investigations and as such, the perception that he may have an influence on the said investigations cannot be excluded.
12. The allegations of Bloomberg are very serious and must be addressed properly and transparently as the government can ill afford any perception of bias on its part.
13. In the circumstances, I call upon the government to act urgently to address the matters raised above in the interests of justice.
Dated this 14th of February, 2026.
Written by ENCIK RAMKARPAL SINGH, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, BUKIT GELUGOR, PULAU PINANG. He is also the DEMOCRATIC ACTION PARTY's NATIONAL LEGAL BUREAU CHAIRMAN
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