PH should drop MACC Chief Azam Baki to restore trust after Sabah defeat - Rafizi

PH should drop MACC Chief Azam Baki to restore trust after Sabah defeat - Rafizi


Rafizi urges Anwar, Loke and Nurul Izzah to publicly reject Azam Baki contract


By AHMAD ISMADI ISMAIL

03 Dec 2025 04:38pm

Rafizi



KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan (PH) must take immediate steps to restore public confidence in corruption issues following the coalition’s defeat in the 17th Sabah State Election.

Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli said the first step should be to not renew Tan Sri Azam Baki’s contract as the Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“One of the main factors influencing voters’ decisions is their disappointment with the government’s performance in reforms and renewal, particularly efforts to rid the country of corrupt practices,” he said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

Rafizi said that during the current Dewan Rakyat sitting, questions were raised about whether Azam’s contract would be renewed for the fourth time.


“However, the answer given by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was vague,” he said.

According to Rafizi, whatever decision the Prime Minister makes will directly impact public perception of the government’s commitment to fighting corruption.


“Not two times. Not three times. But four times. If the contract is renewed again, the decision will continue to damage the credibility of PH and PKR as parties that are firm in fighting corruption. With the various controversies involving his (Azam’s) name, it is time for the contract not to be renewed,” he said.

The former PKR deputy president said the push would not be effective if it came from him alone.

Rafizi proposed that Nurul Izzah Anwar and DAP leaders, including Anthony Loke, also make an open call to show unity in strengthening the commitment against corruption.

“It would be better if Nurul Izzah also makes an open demand. Better still if Loke and DAP do the same,” he said.

He added that PH and PKR’s main advantage previously was the public’s hope for a corruption-free national system.

“This is the core expectation of PH voters, who largely come from the middle class,” he said.

Rafizi also said that he has repeatedly reminded Anwar about survey data since last year, showing that public concern over anti-corruption performance remains one of the biggest criticisms of the government.

“This perception is confirmed by statistics on corruption cases ending in punishment.

“The percentage charged compared to investigation papers opened has dropped from 56 per cent in 2020 to 39 per cent last year.

“Convictions have also decreased, from 300 cases (equivalent to 36 per cent of investigation papers ending in conviction) in 2021, to only 256 convictions or 22 per cent in 2024,” he said.

He added that there were high-profile cases that ended with discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA), cases being dropped, or accused individuals being released after paying compounds.