KUALA LUMPUR: It has been close to a month since Tan Sri Azam Baki clocked out of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Putrajaya.
Yet the former MACC chief commissioner continues to dominate the headlines, including this morning.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) today classified its investigation into allegations of criminal intimidation by businessman Albert Tei against Azam as “no further action” (NFA).
The AGC said a review of the investigation papers, opened under Section 506 of the Penal Code, found insufficient evidence to establish the offence of criminal intimidation.
Speaking to Twentytwo13, Azam said he was only doing his job while helming the commission, when other senior government officials chose to remain silent and hide.
“But when I came under attack, I was on my own. I never expected anyone to come to my aid. That’s part of the job, I guess,” Azam told Twentytwo13.
“However, the AGC’s statement today validates the fact that I have nothing to hide, and I had not intimidated anyone, including Tei.
“I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. I will take full responsibility for every decision I made during my tenure as MACC chief commissioner. But I know I was only doing my job professionally and nothing else.
“It’s been close to 29 days since I left and yet my name continues to dominate the media. Why? People are still attacking me. Do I have any regrets about what I did? No.”
Azam added that he would continue to fight wrongdoers, even if he has to do so alone.
When told he is viewed by some as public enemy No. 1 in Malaysia, Azam said: “Only a minority who don’t like me continue to attack me. As though I am now a criminal after investigating all sorts of cases of public interest.
“This messaging is wrong. To the heads of law enforcement agencies, like the Inland Revenue Board, police and Royal Malaysian Customs, among others, I have this to say: you are dealing with criminals. If you want to play safe, then do nothing, and you are safe.”
During his tenure, Azam was implicated in a controversy involving millions of shares. There were also allegations that MACC officials had been operating as a cartel to seize control of companies.
“I’ve been cleared. And the allegations were all untrue. The matter was even tabled and argued heavily in Cabinet, and I know certain ministers were not satisfied, but the fact is that it had nothing to do with me.
“I don’t even know who (businessman) Victor Chin (Boon Leong) is. I have never met him.”
Azam was referring to Chin who, in April, filed a lawsuit against the so-called “corporate mafia”, fronted by a prominent businessman he described as the mastermind behind the “attempted hijacking” of a security-based technology firm.
“Which part of the corporate mafia, for example, involves me? Nothing.
“Until now, the (police) investigation has been quiet.”
When asked if certain quarters are determined to silence him, Azam said: “When you do your work, people will attack you. I investigated all sorts of high-profile cases. I just have to take the hits and all sorts of attacks.
“To the heads of MACC and other law enforcement bodies, don’t be intimidated by these people.”
Azam said although he was no longer in service, he would continue serving the public “if the government still needs me”.
“I will keep talking about what is right or wrong,” he added.
Azam said he had a message for his haters.
“You don’t have integrity. You only know how to destroy this country, to destroy the integrity of law enforcement agencies like MACC. That misleads the public.
“To the majority, I urge you not to believe all these stories,” he added.
