PUTRAJAYA – Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki has clarified that his appointment to the National Financial Crime Centre (NFCC) is not a retirement plan nor post-MACC reward.
Instead he said he has been serving on the NFCC Advisory Board since 2021.
“I wasn’t appointed yesterday!
“My appointment is at the pleasure of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the Prime Minister,” he told Scoop.
He said he was first appointed in 2020 to serve a period from March 2021 to March 2024 when the Prime Minister then was Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
“My tenure was extended under Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from September 2024 to September 2027,” Azam explained.
“I advise those who are questioning my appointment to get clarification from me or the NFCC.
“The Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali also has all the details of my appointment,” he said, adding that it was done in accordance to Section 5 of the NFCC Act 2019.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin was among those who questioned Azam’s appointment to the Advisory Board, following pictures of his meeting at the NFCC Centre ilon June 30 went.
“Not withstanding my position as Chief Commissioner of the MACC, my appointment to the Advisory Board is also due to my vast experience in investigations and enforcement in corruption and financial crimes both domestically and cross border crimes.”
Azam, 63, retired as Chief Commissioner of the MACC on May 12 – after three contract extensions.
He was appointed to head the anti graft body on March 9, 2020 under the administration of then Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Meanwhile NFCC director-general Datuk Seri Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil in a statement today said Azam is serving in his personal capacity since stepping down from leading the MACC.
“His membership on the NFCC advisory board is not tied to his previous post as MACC chief commissioner and remains in effect until the end of his tenure, unless the Agong terminates it earlier,” he said. – July 3, 2026