Azam Baki’s hint at retirement reinforces urgency for deep structural reform of MACC, says C4 Center

KUALA LUMPUR 12 Dec – The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) has urged the government not to be distracted by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki’s recent hint that he may step down when his contract expires in May 2026, stressing that the real issue is the long-standing structural flaws within the institution.

C4 Center said Azam’s prolonged tenure — having been extended three times despite surpassing the mandatory retirement age of 60 — reflects deeper systemic weaknesses that cannot be fixed by merely replacing the MACC chief.

The group noted that unresolved controversies surrounding Azam’s leadership have eroded public confidence and that his exit from the post is necessary.

But it emphasised that reform efforts must go far beyond the individual at the helm.

Appointment process dominated by executive influence

According to C4 Center, the current appointment process for the MACC Chief Commissioner suffers from a fundamental conflict of interest.

Under Article 40 of the Federal Constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is bound by the advice of the Cabinet, effectively giving the Prime Minister decisive influence over who leads the MACC.

“This creates an inherent risk of political considerations shaping decisions at the top of the country’s premier anti-corruption agency,” the organisation said.

The National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) 2019–2023 proposed a Public Appointments Bill that could have strengthened transparency and independence in such appointments, but the initiative was never implemented.

Under the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2024–2028, the government plans to “relook” at the appointment and dismissal framework for the MACC chief — but only as a long-term goal spanning four to five years.

“Do Malaysians have to wait until 2029 for a meaningful change?” C4 Center questioned.

Call for parliamentary oversight and open recruitment

C4 Center stressed that the appointment of the MACC head must be democratised. It urged the government to introduce open calls for candidates and shift the appointment power to Parliament, either through a vote in the Dewan Rakyat or via a parliamentary select committee.

Such a move, it said, would minimise political interference, as select committees are required to reflect the political composition of the Dewan Rakyat.

This proposal aligns with Recommendation 55.93 accepted by Malaysia during its 4th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in January 2024, which calls for permanent independent bodies — including parliamentary committees — to oversee appointments to anti-corruption institutions. The recommendation has also been adopted under Strategy G1.7 of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights 2025–2030.

MACC must not be shielded from Ombudsman oversight

C4 Center also highlighted the need to align MACC reforms with the establishment of Ombudsman Malaysia.

Azam recently stated that the MACC’s mandate would not overlap with that of the Ombudsman, but C4 Center argued that the Ombudsman must be allowed to investigate cases of maladministration within the MACC itself to ensure accountability.

“Internal oversight mechanisms such as the MACC’s Complaints Committee are insufficient,” the statement said. “The Ombudsman must have statutory jurisdiction to investigate misconduct and maladministration within enforcement bodies, including the MACC.”

Reforms must be swift and comprehensive

C4 Center said the government should not misinterpret public dissatisfaction as being limited to Azam’s extended tenure.

“Even if a new person is appointed, the flaws in the system remain,” it stressed.

The organisation called on the Anwar administration to prioritise comprehensive structural reforms, including:

• Transparent, open appointment and removal process for the MACC Chief Commissioner through public applications and parliamentary vetting; and

• Empowering Ombudsman Malaysia to provide independent external oversight of the MACC, beyond the commission’s internal mechanisms.

C4 Center urged the government to work with all relevant stakeholders and accelerate these reforms to restore public trust in Malaysia’s anti-corruption framework. - DagangNews.com