Azam wrong about parliamentary panel’s powers, say lawyers

[superadmin]

PETALING JAYA: Three lawyers have dismissed arguments by top graft-buster Azam Baki against a hearing by a parliamentary committee into his shareholdings, saying he was wrong in his contentions.

Haniff Khatri Abdulla said the committee would be acting within its powers to investigate the allegations and had the right to recommend the next course of action to the government.

He said parliamentary committees have the power to subpoena Azam or his legal team to attend the meeting, and it should go ahead as scheduled on Wednesday with members discussing the terms of reference of the meeting if Azam does not attend.

Azam, who is head of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, had sought a deferment of the meeting.

Parliament secretary Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin said yesterday the meeting had been postponed pending a reference to Parliament’s legal adviser.

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