Azam Baki clocks out after turbulent tenure as MACC chief

 He oversaw high-profile probes in the last six years, but was dogged by share ownership controversies and claims of MACC's involvement in facilitating corporate takeovers.

Azam Baki said farewell to his staff at a special appreciation event at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Azam Baki officially ends his tenure as chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today, concluding a six-year period that saw the anti-graft agency frequently in the national spotlight.

At a special appreciation ceremony in Putrajaya, Azam urged MACC officers to fully support the incoming leadership and senior management to ensure continuity in the agency’s work and legacy.

“Do not sabotage the new chief commissioner because if you do, it means you are sabotaging your own organisation,” he said in his farewell address, as reported by Buletin TV3.

“Please give your support to the MACC top management because they will continue our legacy. In any organisation, we must remain loyal to the leadership.”

Azam took over the top post in March 2020 after his predecessor, Latheefa Koya, stepped down amid the political upheaval triggered by the Sheraton Move.

He went on to serve under three prime ministers – Muhyiddin Yassin, Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Anwar Ibrahim – with his contract extended three times.

During his tenure, MACC pursued several high-profile corruption investigations, including probes linked to former prime minister Najib Razak over the 1MDB scandal, Muhyiddin over the Jana Wibawa programme, and the late former finance minister Daim Zainuddin over alleged failure to declare assets.

Most recently, the commission launched an investigation into the government’s RM1.1 billion deal with UK-based chip design company Arm Holdings, linked to former economy minister Rafizi Ramli.

However, Azam’s leadership was shadowed by questions over his ownership of shares in listed companies and allegations that MACC officers were working with businessmen to force corporate takeovers.

Both Azam and the MACC have strongly denied the allegations.

The Cabinet later ordered a special investigation led by Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar to determine whether the share purchases breached public service rules, but the findings have yet to be released.

Azam will be succeeded by Abdul Halim Aman, a former High Court judge with more than two decades of judicial experience. - FMT