KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s Cabinet on Wednesday forwarded a probe into Anti-Corruption Commission head Azam Baki’s extensive shareholdings to the Chief Secretary to the Government for action, following revelations that breached public official limits.
The move stems from a February Bloomberg report flagging Azam’s 17.7 million shares in Velocity Capital Partner, valued near 800,000 ringgit ($260,000) then—exceeding 2024 guidelines capping holdings at 5% of paid-up capital or 100,000 ringgit, whichever is lesser, with mandatory declarations. Azam insists he complied fully and declared properly.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s team had tasked a trio of senior officials, led by the attorney general, with the review. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, post-Cabinet in Putrajaya, confirmed the referral: “Further steps fall to the Chief Secretary, we await their statement.” Reports swirl that Anwar may skip renewing Azam’s contract, expiring May 12.
The Public Service Department’s disciplinary panel plans a near-term meeting on the findings, per Chief Secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. Separately, Cabinet directed police, Securities Commission, tax authorities, and MACC itself to probe Bloomberg-alleged businessman-MACC collusion to bully executives and seize firms, eschewing a Royal Commission despite calls from activists and Anwar’s coalition heavyweight. MACC offered no immediate reply.