Advertisement

Tangkap Azam Baki rally organisers outline three demands

Tangkap Azam Baki rally organisers outline three demands
Tangkap Azam Baki rally organisers outline three demands

The organisers of the #TangkapAzamBaki rally this Saturday has outlined three demands – the arrest of MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, for the legal process against Azam to start immediately as well as the restructuring of the anti-graft agency, which should then be placed under the purview of Parliament.

They say these demands are to prevent such episodes of corruption from repeating over and over again in the country.

“All sorts of suggestions have been highlighted to handle this issue. Among them is the restructuring of the MACC and placing it under the purview of Parliament, changing the composition of MACC officers, the formation of an independent anti-corruption commission and others.

“But all of this would be hard to achieve until the legal process that should start with the arrest of Azam is implemented as soon as possible.

“If this does not happen, the chances are high that this issue will be buried by those in power,” the organisers said in a statement today.

They said the country has already suffered severely from corruption, pointing to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s involvement in the 1MDB case.

To make matters worse, they said, the cost of living has spiked and now many Malaysians are also dealing with the aftermath of the December flood disasters.

They urged all leaders and high-ranking officers to stop acting for their own interest.

“The rakyat has been left for too long without a satisfactory explanation from the government and the authorities.

“Even the Parliamentary Selection Committee (PSC) meeting that was supposed to be held on Jan 19 to investigate Azam has been postponed.

“So what other ways can the rakyat get an explanation and ensure that those who have been given our trust can carry out their duties independently and fairly?” they questioned.

This is why they have decided to organise a peaceful rally this Saturday at Sogo in Kuala Lumpur to voice the rakyat’s demands, they said.

“We invite all Malaysians to join us at 11am this Saturday in front of Sogo, Kuala Lumpur.

“If you cannot be with us on that day and time, put up a black flag and use the hashtag #TangkapAzamBaki and #RombakSPRM on all your social media postings,” they said.

Azam came under scrutiny recently after allegations surfaced about him having owned shares in two companies back in 2015.

According to Excel Force Bhd’s 2015 annual report, Azam owned 2,156,000 warrants in the company as of March 21, 2016. At the time, Azam was the head of MACC’s investigation division.

However, in a press conference on Jan 5, Azam said he did not do anything wrong as the shares were bought by his brother, who only used his name.

The organisers’ statement today was supported by 16 civil societies and eight political parties that are:

Civil societies:

1. Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat

2. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) Youth

3. Kesatuan Mahasiswa Universiti Malaya

4. Jaringan Kebajikan Komuniti

5. Liga Rakyat Demokratik

6. Persatuan Pengundi Muda

7. Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM)

8. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor

9. Suaram

10. Bersih

11. Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim)

12. Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia (Gerak)

13. Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot)

14. Community Action Network (Can)

15. Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia (JKOASM)

16. Sabah Reform Initiative (Sari)

Political parties:

1. PKR Youth

2. DAP Youth

3. Amanah Youth

4. Harapan Youth

5. Pejuang Youth

6. Pejuanita Youth

7. Pemuda Sosialis

8. Muda