KUALA LUMPUR – Leadership in enforcement agencies demands courage and the resolve to make difficult decisions without succumbing to criticism, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
Reflecting on over four decades in anti-corruption work, Azam acknowledged that the role often leaves officers with more adversaries than allies, Bernama reported.
“If we want to stay safe, we should do nothing. But in an enforcement agency, we have to be brave enough to make decisions even if they draw criticism,” he said in an exclusive meeting with media practitioners here recently.
Azam, who is due to retire on May 12, said his career since joining the MACC in 1984 has been shaped by continuous learning, information sharing, and hands-on experience in operations and administration.
“Vision is important. Without it, it is better not to be a leader,” he said. Azam joined the Anti-Corruption Agency (BPR) in 1984 and has led the MACC since March 9, 2020.
According to Azam, one of the greatest challenges in enforcement is maintaining effective investigations and interventions in the face of increasingly complex corruption schemes and abuses of power.
“No organisation in the world is free from problems, including in developed countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. There will always be issues such as cartels, abuse of power and system weaknesses. What matters is how consistently these problems are addressed,” he said.
He defended the MACC’s probes into high-profile political figures, including former prime ministers Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, asserting that all actions were based on credible information and proper procedures despite public scrutiny.
“Never in Malaysia’s history, since the MACC was known as the Anti-Corruption Agency, have we investigated a sitting prime minister. That is why some are uncomfortable with our approach. But my principle is simple: anyone who is guilty must be charged, regardless of their position,” Azam said.
He emphasised that accountability is inseparable from enforcement duties, as every appointment carries responsibilities that cannot be avoided or delegated.
“When someone is given a position, responsibility comes with it. There should be no culture of avoiding responsibility,” he said.
On strengthening anti-corruption efforts, Azam stressed the need for a proactive, intelligence-led approach, particularly in cases involving organised networks or high-profile individuals. Investigations can no longer rely solely on public complaints but must be guided by intelligence, internal information networks, and strategic inter-agency collaboration.
“Corruption often happens within small groups that protect each other, making it harder to detect than crimes like robbery or theft. Some cases can drag on for years without being directly uncovered,” he said.
He also called for broader support from professionals in fields such as accounting, engineering, medicine, and law, noting that diverse expertise enhances investigative effectiveness.
“Each background brings different perspectives and expertise that can help make investigations more effective,” he added. – May 10, 2026