KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki should step down or risk dragging the government towards electoral defeat, a DAP MP warned in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Khoo Poay Tiong (PH–Kota Melaka), speaking during the debate on the Auditor-General’s Report, said Azam’s continued tenure could undermine public confidence and cost the ruling coalition dearly at the next general election.
“I urge the government to take decisive action — Azam Baki must resign. He has to go. Either he goes, or we go. That is my message,” Khoo said.
“If we allow him to remain in office, voters will punish us in the next general election. Let our time in government not end because we failed to act.”
Khoo also called for the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to probe two recent Bloomberg reports concerning Azam’s share ownership controversy and allegations of misconduct within the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), including claims of corporate collusion.
He noted that this was not the first time Azam had faced scrutiny, recalling that in 2022 the MACC chief commissioner was found to have held shares exceeding the permitted limit.
While acknowledging that the government had announced a special task force to investigate the share ownership issue, Khoo said there had been no clear or transparent action taken regarding the alleged links between MACC officers and corporate figures.
“An RCI must be established to investigate both Bloomberg reports. It is necessary to clear the MACC’s name and restore public trust,” he said.
Khoo also expressed concern that Malaysia’s improved standing in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) — which rose three places to 54th — could be jeopardised if the allegations were not addressed decisively.
Turning to the latest Auditor-General’s Report, Khoo highlighted that 273 new issues had been identified.
He welcomed the National Audit Department’s commitment to continuous monitoring and follow-up action to rectify weaknesses in government projects.
Referring to the MyDigital initiative under Mimos Bhd, he said auditors had uncovered that RM28.13 million was spent without the approval of the designated committee.
Khoo stressed that while the government frequently reaffirmed its commitment to integrity and the fight against corruption, firm and concrete action was essential to ensure civil servants strictly adhered to laws, procedures and financial regulations. – February 24, 2026