Don’t extend Azam’s contract as MACC chief, group urges govt

 Suara Mahasiswa UMS says extending Azam Baki’s term will betray Pakatan Harapan’s reform promises and erode trust in the anti-graft agency.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had said he will announce whether Azam Baki’s tenure as MACC chief will be extended after he has made a decision. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 A Sabah-based student group has called on the government to reject any proposal to extend Azam Baki’s contract as chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

Suara Mahasiswa UMS, part of the Sekretariat Perhimpunan Aman Gempur Rasuah Sabah, said Azam’s continued leadership would undermine public trust in MACC and contradict the government’s own anti-corruption reforms.

“This action is a form of betrayal of the institutional reform promised by Pakatan Harapan as the largest bloc in the Madani government.

“The prime minister must reflect on the fact that he himself was once at the forefront of the ‘Tangkap Azam Baki’ demonstration in 2022,” the group said in a statement today.

Suara Mahasiswa UMS said future appointments of the MACC chief must undergo a transparent, independent selection process, ideally overseen by a dedicated commission, echoing calls made by Bersih.

It also said the government must fulfil this method in appointing the MACC leadership as outlined in the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2028.

On April 4, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government had not yet made a decision on whether to extend Azam’s contract, which is set to expire in May.

Last month, Bloomberg quoted sources as saying Anwar is expected to approve another extension for Azam to continue leading MACC.

It said Azam is likely to receive a six-month extension, which would be his third since taking office in March 2020.

Azam was given a one-year contract extension on May 10, 2023, and another one-year extension the following year. - FMT