Azam's hat-trick: Bersih cites Sabah scandal, compares Anwar to Dr M

Azam's hat-trick: Bersih cites Sabah scandal, compares Anwar to Dr M


Published: May 11, 2025 7:40 AM
Updated: 12:25 PM



Summary

• Electoral watchdog Bersih has criticised the reappointment of MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki.

• The electoral watchdog says this is proof that the Madani government has no solid roadmap for a reform agenda.

Bersih has “strongly condemned” the reappointment of MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, citing the unresolved Sabah corruption scandal as a glaring example of the commission’s diminishing credibility under his leadership.

The electoral watchdog also compared Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to his political nemesis Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who disregarded the promises in Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto when he became prime minister for the second time in 2018.

In a statement, Bersih’s steering committee said Azam’s extension for a third time under Anwar contradicted the promise of institutional reforms in Pakatan Harapan and BN’s manifestos.

The electoral watchdog pointed out that each extension of Azam’s contract did not go through the parliamentary committee that is supposed to review such appointments.

It said that both political coalitions had previously promised that appointments to key institutions like MACC would be made through the parliamentary committee responsible for proposing and reviewing candidate names to be put forward.

‘Can promises be disregarded at will?’

At the same time, Bersih noted that the matter is also stated in the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2028 promoted by the Madani government.

“Are the commitments expressed in national-level plans merely empty rhetoric? Is Anwar behaving just like his predecessor Mahathir, who viewed the manifesto as not sacred scripture and therefore could be disregarded at will?

“The credibility of the MACC continues to be questioned, especially in light of its handling of the Sabah corruption scandal, which remains unresolved.

“Judging by Azam’s dismissive attitude when summoned over the share ownership issue, it is clear that he does not respect Parliament as a check-and-balance institution,” it added.

Bersih reiterated its call for MACC’s immediate structural reform to restore public confidence in the institution through a strong system that upholds the independence and accountability of the commission.

This call was first made through the launch of the Comprehensive Study on MACC Reform dated July 18, 2024.

“This is because the current MACC structure has many weaknesses and gaps, particularly when tested during the country’s largest corruption scandal, 1MDB, justifying the need for reform to effectively address these exposed shortcomings.

“The reappointment of Azam is proof that the Madani government has no solid roadmap for a reform agenda,” it added.

On Friday, Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar had granted consent to Azam’s reappointment as the nation’s top anti-graft officer.

Azam, 62, has held the position since March 9, 2020, succeeding Latheefa Koya, with previous one-year reappointments in May 2023 and May 2024.

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Power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

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