PUTRAJAYA: Tan Sri Azam Baki has no intention of quietly disappearing from public life after retiring as Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner.
He says he still intends to contribute to the country and speak on governance and anti-corruption matters when necessary.
Azam, who retires on May 13 after 42 years with the Anti-Corruption Agency (BPR) and later MACC, said he would continue sharing his experience and views for the benefit of society and the commission.
"I will continue contributing whatever I can to the country and society.
"If the time comes and I feel I need to speak, I will continue to give constructive opinions," he said during an exclusive MACC podcast session.
He said retirement did not mean a person should stop being productive or useful to society.
"I always say that men will continue working until the day they are carried into the mosque," he said.
Azam also ruled out joining politics or venturing into business after retirement.
"Politics is not my field. Business too, I do not know how to do business," he said jokingly, adding that he remained active in sports and was focused on maintaining his health and appearance.
He said maintaining discipline, health and self-confidence remained important even after retirement.
"People in hospital do not want millions of ringgit anymore. They just want good health," he said.
Reflecting on his years leading MACC, Azam said the commission must continue pursuing a "bold and radical" anti-corruption agenda over the next five years, particularly against systemic corruption involving procurement leakages and abuse of power.
"This is the time we need to be bold and radical," he said.
Azam said corruption in several sectors remained systemic and serious, requiring aggressive enforcement and operational effectiveness.
He said the public increasingly expected MACC to consistently deliver major enforcement actions and high-profile cases.
"What's next? That is always the pressure on MACC.
"After one arrest, people ask who is next.
"That is the brand and expectation surrounding MACC," he said.
Azam admitted the pressure of constantly meeting public expectations had been among the most stressful aspects of leading the commission.
"At times, I ask myself what else am I going to present to the rakyat after this," he said.
He said the pressure was amplified by public perception and social media narratives, which he described as impossible to fully control.
"We cannot stop perception, whether positive or negative," he said.
Azam said MACC officers should not become distracted by criticism or online attacks, but instead remain focused on operational priorities and institutional goals.
"I always remind my officers not to waste time on petty things. Focus on the bigger mission," he said.
He also warned future leaders against arrogance and complacency, stressing that no enforcement leader could succeed alone.
"I can challenge any leader of any agency. If he thinks only he is smart, then he is heading for destruction," he said.
Azam said transformation within MACC must remain continuous, with leadership constantly reviewing and improving operational approaches, procedures and strategies to stay relevant.
"Transformation is a living thing. What worked one or two years ago may no longer be relevant today," he said.
He added that leadership in an enforcement agency required firmness and zero compromise against corruption, criminal misconduct or disciplinary breaches within the organisation itself.
Azam revealed that he had continued ordering immediate action against problematic officers even in the final days before his retirement.
"I do not want to leave problems behind for the next chief commissioner," he said. - NST
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