Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has defended the government’s decision to extend the tenure of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki, saying it would be difficult to find a successor bold enough to take down the “big fish”.
Anwar said while he could appoint a new chief if necessary, he was not confident that a replacement would show the same level of resolve as Azam, who has held the post since 2020.
“I don’t deny there has been a lot of criticism (about the extension). But since MACC was set up 30 years ago, this is the first time they have been brave enough to go after the tauke besar (big bosses),” Anwar said at the PKR national congress here tonight.
“I can replace him tomorrow if needed – but I’m not sure the next person will be as brave.
“So let’s give him room until we find someone even braver. But in the meantime, let’s give him our full support.”
Earlier this month, chief secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim had consented to Azam’s reappointment for a one-year term effective May 13.
Azam took office in March 2020, and his contract was previously extended twice. He was given a one-year extension on May 10, 2023, and another one-year extension last year.
When the unity coalition government was formed in December 2022, Anwar defended his decision not to replace Azam, saying he wanted to break the convention that a change of guard in the agency was necessary whenever a new prime minister was appointed.
Those who criticised Azam’s latest extension included then PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, who said it was “unwelcome”.
Azam’s contract extension was also questioned by Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism chairman Edmund Terence Gomez, who highlighted claims in 2021 of a conflict of interest involving Azam’s alleged ownership of corporate stock.
Azam denied any wrongdoing, although several watchdog groups and Pakatan Harapan leaders called for an investigation.
In January 2022, the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board cleared Azam of any wrongdoing over his purchase of corporate shares after Azam explained that his share account was used by his brother, Nasir, to purchase shares in which he (Azam) had no pecuniary interest.
