Azam's contract will not be extended, says report
Published: Mar 9, 2026 8:42 PM
Updated: Mar 10, 2026 11:48 AM
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s contract will not be extended after it ends on May 12, Singapore news outlet The Straits Times reported.
The report quoted anonymous high-level government and legal sources saying that the decision comes on the heels of corruption allegations against Azam, whose tenure has already been extended three times.
“The prime minister has repeatedly stressed to the cabinet in recent weeks that Azam’s contract won’t be renewed,” an anonymous official told ST.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had previously defended extending the MACC chief’s tenure amid criticisms, including from his daughter Nurul Izzah, saying Azam had shown “extraordinary courage” in tackling high-level corruption.
In December last year, Azam acknowledged that the repeated extensions of his contract had drawn criticism from certain parties, hinting that his tenure might end upon the expiry of his contract in May this year.
Malaysiakini has contacted the MACC for comments on the report and is awaiting a reply.
Millions in shares, corporate mafia
Last month, Bloomberg and Malaysiakini separately reported that Azam owned significant shares in two companies, exceeding what the civil service allowed.
Companies Commission of Malaysia records revealed that Azam had, at some point, held 17.7 million shares in Velocity Capital Partner Berhad and around 4.52 million shares in Awanbiru Technology Berhad.
The Velocity Capital Partner shares were believed to have been bought for around RM1.5 million, while the Awanbiru shares were estimated to have been valued between RM1.24 million and RM1.38 million at some point.
Subsequently, Bloomberg published another report, alleging that MACC officers had colluded with private individuals to strong-arm business rivals and stage corporate takeovers and that Azam was aware of the collusion and had even acted in support of such acts.
Azam later filed an RM100 million defamation suit against Bloomberg, but this was only on specific allegations regarding his shareholding.
Special task force
On Feb 13, a special task force, headed by Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar, was formed to investigate the claims against Azam.
Dusuki indicated to Malaysiakini, two days later, that the scope of the investigation would only focus on the shareholding allegations.
READ MORE: DAP MP's warning: If Azam stays, Madani goes
Bukit Aman had also launched a criminal investigation against Bloomberg over the report on Azam’s share ownership.
According to federal police Criminal Investigation Department director M Kumar, the probe followed a police report lodged against the media company on Feb 13.
Bloomberg stood by its report.
Calls for RCI
On Feb 17, Suhakam called for the establishment of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate the allegations against Azam.
In a statement, Suhakam stressed the establishment of an RCI rather than relying on a special task force that may lack clear statutory authority and coercive powers.
While it stressed that it does not take a position on the substance of the allegations, Suhakam said corruption - and any perception that it is not addressed seriously and accountably - carries “profound negative human rights consequences”.
Suhakam also called for Azam to be put on garden leave while the RCI conducts its investigation to prevent any real or perceived influence over the process.
DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng, meanwhile, said the party is set to decide on July 12 whether its officeholders should relinquish their government positions, reportedly suggesting that the decision might be brought forward.
DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng, meanwhile, said the party is set to decide on July 12 whether its officeholders should relinquish their government positions, reportedly suggesting that the decision might be brought forward.
DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng
In an interview with Kwong Wah Yit Poh published on Feb 26, he said that this is if the cabinet meeting on Feb 27 rejects the party’s proposal to establish the RCI to investigate allegations that the MACC is colluding with “corporate mafias”.
DAP leaders have also pressured Anwar to establish the RCI.
On Feb 27, the cabinet agreed to consider follow-up actions, including establishing an RCI, regarding allegations against the MACC and Azam, government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said.
Fahmi added that the three-member committee led by Dusuki has nearly completed its probe and will submit its report to the cabinet soon.
In an interview with Kwong Wah Yit Poh published on Feb 26, he said that this is if the cabinet meeting on Feb 27 rejects the party’s proposal to establish the RCI to investigate allegations that the MACC is colluding with “corporate mafias”.
DAP leaders have also pressured Anwar to establish the RCI.
On Feb 27, the cabinet agreed to consider follow-up actions, including establishing an RCI, regarding allegations against the MACC and Azam, government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said.
Fahmi added that the three-member committee led by Dusuki has nearly completed its probe and will submit its report to the cabinet soon.
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