A second round of “Tangkap Azam Baki” protest will be held in Kuala Lumpur this Sunday to urge an investigation into the MACC chief commissioner, who was recently embroiled in another scandal involving his shareholdings.
According to the rally organisers, who called themselves the #TangkapAzamBaki secretariat, the demonstration is planned for 4pm in front of the Sogo Shopping Complex.
"This is our response to the shareholdings scandal that implicates the MACC chief, which has caused public uproar and a trust deficit in the country's most important integrity body.
"The secretariat is also using this platform to raise our regret over the response by (Prime Minister) Anwar Ibrahim, which was seen as disrespectful toward the public’s anger.
"In fact, the public’s anger is justified because this issue involves the public interest. We do not want this scandal to end without any accountability, nor with investigations that would only embarrass the country,” the secretariat said in a media invite this morning.
According to the organisers, the rally aims to demand Azam's resignation from MACC and for authorities to arrest, investigate, and prosecute him.
"We call on all Malaysians, regardless of background, politics, race, or religion, to stand together in this movement," it added.
The planned protest comes as pressure mounts on the government to investigate Azam, who had at one point held a considerable stake in financial services company Velocity Capital Partner Berhad and Awanbiru Technology Berhad.
Second of its kind
It would be the second time a #TangkapAzamBaki (arrest Azam Baki) demonstration has been held since 2022, when hundreds of protesters marched in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, to demand action against the top executive of the anti-graft agency.
The 2022 protest stemmed from another share ownership controversy involving Azam, after allegations surfaced about him having owned shares in two companies back in 2015.
It was initially planned to take place at Sogo, but the organisers changed its location to Bangsar after authorities closed all roads leading to the shopping centre, which is located in the city centre.
The demonstration saw a slew of activists and opposition politicians hauled up by the police.
Rafizi to join protest
Separately, former economy minister Rafizi Ramli said he will also be joining the upcoming protest, urging fellow Malaysians to come out in large numbers.
“I will also be joining the rally to #TangkapAzamBaki. I urge more Malaysians to come out and join (the protest),” he said on X.
Earlier today, Rafizi, alongside seven other PKR parliamentarians, called on Anwar to suspend and investigate the MACC chief following recent controversy.
Among the allegations surrounding Azam included claims over his previous shareholdings, and that he is aware of a purported “corporate mafia” ring operating with the involvement of an MACC investigative unit dubbed “Section D”.
Azam had denied wrongdoing, while MACC has dismissed the allegations.
Rafizi cautioned Anwar not to repeat the same mistake his predecessor, Najib Abdul Razak, made during the 1MDB scandal.
The PKR lawmakers who endorsed Rafizi’s call for Anwar to act were Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail, Subang MP Wong Chen, Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, Sungai Siput MP S Kesavan, Gopeng MP Tan Kar Hing, and Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan.
The Pandan MP added that he would also rally DAP and Amanah to pressure Anwar. - Mkini
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