MCA Youth to submit four reform demands to PMX on Azam Baki

 

THE MCA Youth Central Committee said it will put forward four reform and investigation demands concerning the controversy surrounding Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki.

The committee said the MACC is the nation’s most important anti-corruption enforcement agency with a duty to investigate corruption, uphold public integrity, and safeguard the integrity of the nation’s governance system.

As such, the committee said if the anti-corruption body itself becomes embroiled in scandal, or if there are allegations of power abuse or links to commercial interests within the institution, it would seriously undermine public confidence in the nation’s anti-corruption framework.

“The MCA Youth Central Committee convened a meeting last Friday (Mar 6), whereby one of the key agenda items was an in-depth discussion on the controversy surrounding the alleged excessive shareholdings involving Azam, as well as recent alleged exposés of a possible ‘corporate mafia’ within the MACC,” it noted.

“The government must therefore respond decisively and take concrete steps to restore public trust.” that Azam holds 17.7 million shares in Velocity Capital Bhd, far above the 2024 government rules that prohibit officials from holding more than 5% of paid-up capital or RM 100,000 in value.

He is believed to have not publicly declared his holdings worth about RM 800,000 in the financial firm.

More recently, Bloomberg had also published an article titled “Who’s Watching Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Watchdog?”, detailing allegations that a group of businessmen, allegedly working with certain MACC officers, had pressured corporate figures in takeover cases.

The report later described this situation as a “corporate mafia” network.

Four key demands

MCA Youth said it has put forward four key demands to ensure that the issues involving Azam and the MACC are properly addressed:

(1) Azam should step aside pending investigation

In light of the excessive shareholding controversy and the ongoing public concerns, the MCA Youth Central Committee said the MACC chief should “temporarily step aside to avoid any perception of investigating himself”.

“Stepping aside does not equate to a finding of guilt; rather, it ensures that investigations can proceed without interference or conflict of interest, while safeguarding the integrity and transparency of the investigative process,” it stressed.

(2) Establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry

The central committee further emphasised that internal investigations or ordinary administrative reviews are insufficient to dispel public doubts.

“An independent and highly credible investigative mechanism must therefore be established. By forming a Royal Commission of Inquiry, the government can conduct a comprehensive investigation not only into the shareholding issue but also into allegations of a so-called ‘corporate mafia’ or possible power abuse within the MACC, ensuring that all concerns are thoroughly examined.”

(3) Institutional reform to place MACC under Parliament

At present, the MACC is administratively placed under the Prime Minister’s Department, a structure that has long been criticised for potentially concentrating excessive power within the Executive branch.

“We believe that if the independence of the MACC is to be genuinely strengthened, institutional reforms must be implemented so that the MACC Chief Commissioner is appointed by Parliament and reports directly to Parliament through regular reporting mechanisms. This would establish a more transparent and accountable oversight framework,” said the central committee.

(4) Establish an independent oversight body to strengthen external supervision

Beyond institutional placement, the MCA Youth Central Committee stressed the need to build a more effective oversight structure.

This may include establishing an independent monitoring body or strengthening the powers of existing oversight committees, ensuring that the MACC’s enforcement actions, investigations and internal management are subject to institutionalised external supervision.

“Only through such mechanisms can excessive concentration of power be prevented and the highest standards of integrity maintained. Any anti-corruption institution that lacks transparency and effective oversight mechanisms risks deviating from its original purpose, regardless of its initial intentions,” it remarked.

“Therefore, these four demands are not merely directed at a specific controversy, but are aimed at driving deeper institutional reforms to ensure that the nation’s anti-corruption system remains truly independent, fair and trusted by the people.”

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Image: Bernama)

Simultaneously, MCA Youth said it will compile these demands into a formal memorandum to be submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim this Thursday (Mar 12).

“We will urge the government to address the scandal seriously and take appropriate action regarding Azam in order to safeguard the credibility of the MACC and the integrity of the nation’s anti-graft framework,” it said.

MCA Youth emphasised that the submission of this memorandum is not merely to state their position, but to urge the government to take this opportunity to initiate broader institutional reforms.

“This is to ensure that the MACC becomes a truly independent, transparent and properly supervised anti-corruption body, rather than remaining mired in recurring controversies that risk undermining the credibility of the government as a whole,” it added. ‒  Focus Malaysia