"Azam Baki still has unfinished business"

Tan Sri Azam Baki caused a surprise uproar last Friday, the day of his retirement, when he was reappointed as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s commissioner with immediate effect.

Chief Secretary Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali stated that the Yang di-Pertuan Agoing Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had consented to the reappointment and the matter was in accordance to subsection 5(1) and (2) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 [Act 694].

Interestingly, news of Azam’s reappointment garnered mixed reaction from various segments and parties.

Back in 2021, Azam was reported to have excessive amount of shares in various companies that led to calls for his resignation, which went on for months.

Despite the incident, he did not step down and even the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board was satisfied with the 60-year old’s explanation on how the shares involved belonged to his younger brother and were purchased using his account.

Azam, however, should be commended from bring high-profile cases to court proving that he has the courage and not pressured by any sides.

This perhaps could be the reason why Azam’s service had been resumed and still needed too complete the tasks at hand.

Consideration

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, Azam’s reappointment as MACC Chief Commissioner has its basis.

“For me, Azam’s contract was extended so it would not disturb ongoing cases and that his services as Chief Commissioner was still required,” he told Sinar briefly.

Salahuddin, who is also the deputy President of Parti Amanah Malaysia, said extension of Azam’s contract for a year was not considered as a violation of any government principles as claimed by those questing he reappointment.

He said no one was exempted from facing prosecution and legal process if proven guilty of engaging in any forms of wrongdoing.

“We do not compromise on matters like this. Even ministers like us are vulnerable to prosecution if it is proven that there is a strong case.

"In fact, anyone including Azam is still vulnerable to prosecution even if he no longer holds office, if there is a proven case," he said.

Meanwhile, economist and former member of the MACC consultation panel Dr Edmund Terence Gomez believes independent and transparent are the two main keywords in the issue of appointing the Chief Commissioner of MACC.

"Regarding his (Azam's) re-appointment, which was previously known to have been involved in the issue of share ownership, at least there should be a discussion process at the cabinet level on how the re-appointment process should be carried out," he said.

He said that this is to ensure that MACC's reputation as an independent body that is not influenced by any party remains intact.

"We all fully support the aspirations of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who wants to fight the cancer of corruption that is becoming more widespread in the country.

"In parallel with that, MACC's image and integrity as the country's main anti-corruption body, including the Chief Commissioner, should be at a level that cannot be questioned by any party. That is very important to defend," he stressed.

Gomez said there were concerns that the decision to reappoint Azam has the potential to weaken the campaign to eliminate corruption that has been constantly chanted by the Anwar-led Unity Government all this time.

He said that two former Prime Ministers Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, had also voiced the importance of appointing the MACC Chief Commissioner through Parliament to maintain the transparency of appointments.

Not an issue

Meanwhile, lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla described Azam's reappointment will not cause any negative perspective if the stock issue that sparked political controversy last year was finally resolved.

"If the issue is resolved to the end based on the concept of the rule of law, then there will be no problem to reappoint him," he said.

He said the reappointment that was done without a solution also gave implications and a blow to the government's philosophy that calls for reforms and compliance with the rule of law.

"If this can be done, it will once and for all prove the honest and efforts for a clean politics to the people,” he said.

Asked why the reappointment was still carried out, he said, only Anwar has the answer.