PETALING JAYA – The tenure of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Azam Baki has been extended for another year, effective May 13, following the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim. The extension was announced by Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, as reported by Bernama.
This marks the third extension of Azam’s term since he assumed the role in March 2020 after the resignation of Latheefa Koya amid the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan administration. Previously serving as deputy chief commissioner, Azam’s leadership came under scrutiny in late 2021 due to allegations concerning his share ownership, which he denied. The Securities Commission Malaysia later cleared him of any wrongdoing, and then-law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar declared the matter closed.
Despite criticism and calls for his removal, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim chose to retain Azam after the unity government’s formation in December 2022, stating his intent to end the norm of replacing the MACC chief with each change of administration. The latest extension comes after Anwar said last month that no final decision had yet been made regarding Azam’s contract, which was due to end this month.