KUALA LUMPUR: Electoral reform group Bersih has urged the government to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate alleged "corporate mafia" networks linked to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), while renewing calls for its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki to resign immediately.
In a statement today, Bersih said the move was necessary to restore public confidence in ongoing investigations involving the anti-graft agency.
The group was responding to remarks by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who had earlier described Bersih's criticism as unfair because it was issued before a probe led by Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar had concluded.
Bersih said it and several civil society organisations had previously raised concerns that the committee was focusing only on Azam's share ownership issue while overlooking broader allegations involving a "corporate mafia" network.
It also questioned the role of the attorney-general as chairman of the investigation committee, citing his involvement in withdrawing corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi despite the court earlier finding a prima facie case.
"Given this situation, how can the public have confidence in the sincerity and transparency of the investigation?" the group said.
Bersih also questioned who the committee would ultimately be accountable to once the probe concluded, noting that Anwar had extended Azam's contract three times despite previously criticising him in 2022.
The group called on the government to set up an independent panel or RCI comprising respected figures and excluding ministers, civil servants, and the attorney general to ensure impartial investigations into allegations involving the MACC.
It also reiterated its demand that Azam step down, saying his continued leadership of the agency posed a conflict of interest amid investigations involving himself.
"The credibility of the MACC should not be dragged down together with Azam Baki," the statement said.
Bersih further urged the government to introduce broader reforms to the MACC, including changes to the appointment process for the chief commissioner to ensure independence from the executive and greater parliamentary oversight.
The group said it had repeatedly called for such reforms since the Madani government first renewed Azam's contract in May 2023.
It warned that failure to address the issues surrounding Azam, the alleged corporate mafia network, and MACC reforms could further erode public trust in the government's anti-corruption agenda. - NST
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