[UPDATED] Azam Baki to continue as MACC chief for another year

KUALA LUMPUR – Tan Sri Azam Baki’s contract as Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief has been renewed for another year, effective May 12.

This was confirmed by the Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali in a statement today.

Zuki added that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim had consented to Azam’s reappointment. 

Azam’s tenure as the nation’s top graft-buster was to end on May 12 after he was appointed to lead the agency in 2020, replacing Latheefa Koya, who resigned in March 2020. 

Prior to helming the post, Azam had served as MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) for four years. Before that, he held the positions of intelligence director and investigation division director. 

Last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the government’s decision to extend Azam’s contract for a one-year tenure. 

The decision courted backlash from certain quarters, who pointed to how Azam had previously been embroiled in controversy over his ownership of shares in two public-listed companies. 

Following the allegations that came to light in 2022, Anwar and other Pakatan Harapan leaders – who were then part of the opposition – had vocally spoken out against Azam while calling for an investigation into the matter. 

Hundreds of Malaysians had also taken to the streets in January 2022 to call for action against Azam, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. 

Azam has instead claimed that the shares which came under public scrutiny were bought by his brother, Nasir Baki, who used his trading account with his consent. 

In defending Azam’s contract extension last year, Anwar said after monitoring his performance, it was found that the chief commissioner had executed his duties well. – May 10, 2024