Critics pushing for MACC reform remain unmoved by speculation that Putrajaya might not extend the service of its scandal-tainted chief, Azam Baki, after his term expires on May 12.
Instead, their calls for establishing a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate recent damning allegations against the anti-graft agency have only grown louder.
Bersih stressed that an RCI is crucial to address all issues plaguing MACC.
"Firstly, the government should clarify this claim (on Azam's contract) because at this point it is a mere rumour.
"Secondly, Bersih maintains our position that an RCI must be set up to answer all questions regarding issues involving MACC.
"MACC is not only about Azam, but the whole structure of the commission must be clean from the 'corporate mafia' allegation and any other abuse of power and corruption allegations," its chairperson, Faisal Abdul Aziz, said in a statement to Malaysiakini.
The electoral reform group also urged the government to reform the MACC by placing the agency under Parliament's purview and giving the latter the power to select future MACC chiefs.
‘RCI not only about Azam’
Similarly, government lawmaker Hassan Abdul Karim called on the government to initiate an RCI regardless of Azam's service tenure and the outcome of a special committee investigation led by the attorney-general.
This is because “the committee’s scope is too narrow, focusing solely on Azam’s shareholding controversy,” he said.
He pointed out that the call for an RCI is not about Azam as an individual but an issue of governance for an agency entrusted to combat corruption.
"The RCI should instead be granted a broader mandate to investigate both Azam and the alleged ‘corporate mafia’ networks involving commercial crimes.
"Establishing such a commission would be a vital step toward restoring public trust in the MACC’s integrity," Hassan asserted.
The Pasir Gudang MP added that the RCI should also propose reforms that can ensure the agency remains transparent, effective, and beyond reproach.
In a related development, the MCA Youth central committee will submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday, outlining four demands for institutional reforms within the MACC.
These include the establishment of an RCI as the committee believes internal investigations alone are insufficient to address public concerns.
Yesterday, Singapore news outlet The Straits Times reported that Azam's contract will not be extended when it ends.
The report quoted anonymous high-level government and legal sources saying that the decision comes on the heels of corruption allegations against Azam, whose tenure has already been extended three times. - Mkini
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