Protesters in Kuala Lumpur, led by electoral reform group Bersih, called for the resignation of MACC chief Azam Baki over a Bloomberg report alleging shareholding irregularities. Former Minister Rafizi Ramli addressed the rally, criticizing the government’s response and highlighting the issue's impact on public trust.
Stay informed with the latest updates by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter, or Telegram and WhatsApp channels. On Sunday, February 15th, a significant protest unfolded in Kuala Lumpur, as throngs of demonstrators, clad in black attire, gathered to demand the resignation of Tan Sri Azam Baki , the chief commissioner of the Malaysia Anti- Corruption Commission ( MACC ).
The impetus for this demonstration stemmed from a Bloomberg report alleging his involvement in a shareholding scandal, which sparked outrage and calls for accountability. The rally, orchestrated by the electoral reform group Bersih, served as a platform to criticize the government's perceived leniency in addressing the controversy and to advocate for more decisive action against Azam. The choice of black clothing by the protesters was symbolic, representing their perception of a pervasive institutional rot that they believe threatens the ruling coalition’s reformist image and its commitment to combating corruption. Former Minister of Economy Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, who was present at the rally, delivered a speech, reminding the ruling coalition that public frustration with systemic corruption had been a key factor in bringing them to power. This added weight to the calls for transparency and swift action, echoing the sentiment of the protesters and underscoring the importance of addressing the allegations against Azam to uphold public trust.\Adding to the unfolding events, on the preceding Friday, February 13th, Rafizi Ramli had chaired a press conference, specifically addressing the Bloomberg report and the allegations against Azam. During this conference, he emphasized the gravity of the investigative report and called for Azam's suspension, alongside an immediate investigation into the matter. This proactive stance further heightened the pressure on the government to respond adequately to the public’s concerns. In contrast to these calls for action, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier stated that there was no need to suspend or put Azam on leave while investigations were underway. Azam himself, who has stated that he asked for an investigation, echoed this sentiment, asserting that he did not need to take leave, citing examples of others who remained on duty during investigations or charges. This divergence in views between the protesters, some government figures, and Azam created a complex and multifaceted environment, fueling the ongoing debate and intensifying public interest in the situation. Furthermore, the authorities are still probing the details of the protest to determine whether the issues of race, religion, and royalty (3R) were mentioned.\The demonstration, which began around 4 pm in front of the Sogo shopping center and concluded at Dataran Merdeka, saw an estimated 200 attendees, with a significant police presence of approximately 600 officers from the Kuala Lumpur contingent headquarters and the Dang Wangi district police headquarters deployed to maintain order. The protest itself proceeded smoothly, according to Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadzil Marsus. Concurrently, a Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) member of parliament has proposed that former Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat be included in the task force formed to investigate the shareholding allegations against Azam. Subang MP Wong Chen suggested expanding the task force’s composition to five members, including a respected retired judge and a figure from civil society. The Bloomberg report, titled “Who Is Watching Malaysia’s Watchdog?”, had brought the issue to the forefront, alleging that the MACC chief held shares exceeding the permitted amount for a civil servant in Malaysia. The report specified that Azam held 17.7 million shares in Velocity Capital Partner Berhad, a financial services firm, valued at approximately RM800,000. Under current Public Service Department (JPA) guidelines, Malaysian civil servants are generally restricted to holding shares in a single company valued at a maximum of RM100,000 or 5% of the paid-up capital, whichever is lower. While these limits are guidelines, exceptions can be granted with approval. Azam has clarified that he no longer holds any shares, and his trading account is now empty, as reported by Bernama. It is also important to note that he had also faced scrutiny in 2022 regarding shares in Gets Global Berhad and Excel Force MSC Berhad, with the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) subsequently finding no breach of securities laws
Azam Baki MACC Corruption Protest Shareholding Scandal
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