Azam’s contract as MACC chief extended

Azam Baki was appointed MACC chief commissioner on March 9, 2020. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Azam Baki’s contract as the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has been extended for one year.

This is effective May 12, said chief secretary to the government Zuki Ali.

“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has consented to reappointing Azam as the MACC chief commissioner for a one-year period,” Zuki said in a brief statement.

Azam’s contract was due to end on Sunday.

He was appointed MACC chief commissioner on March 9, 2020 following the resignation of his predecessor, Latheefa Koya, after the fall of the former Pakatan Harapan government.

In late 2021, Azam made headlines following allegations that he owned shares and warrants. He denied any wrongdoing, but several watchdog groups and PH leaders called for an investigation to be opened into the matter.

However, then law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the issue was resolved after the Securities Commission Malaysia decided that there was no case.

After the unity government’s formation, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim defended his decision not to replace Azam, saying he wanted to break the convention that a change of guard in the agency was necessary whenever a new prime minister was appointed.

Azam was then given a one-year contract extension on May 10 last year.