Stay resolute under fire, Azam tells MACC officers

2026-03-24 - 15:21

Top graft-buster Azam Baki said MACC officers must remain focussed on their mission and let their work, integrity, and achievements speak louder than any accusation. PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Azam Baki has called upon the agency’s officers to remain steadfast in upholding integrity, despite facing criticism and backlash in the course of their duties. In a Facebook post, Azam said there would always be people uncomfortable with the commission’s firmness in enforcing the law. “There are also those willing to spread false and baseless narratives, even when they know the truth. However, we cannot and will not stray from our responsibilities. “We must be prepared to face criticism, negative perceptions, and even slander,” he said. Azam also said the agency’s staff must remain focussed on their mission and let their work, integrity, and achievements speak louder than any accusation. “Integrity is our foundation. Discipline is our strength. Serving the people is our duty,” he added. Azam also said Ramadan was not merely about abstaining from food and drinks, but about building discipline, strengthening self-control, reinforcing integrity, and refining values. “Hari Raya Aidilfitri has passed, and it is now time for us to fully return to the duties and responsibilities entrusted to us by the people,” he said. Bloomberg had reported that Azam held 17.7 million shares (1.7%) in Velocity Capital Bhd, based on the company’s annual return lodged on Feb 3 last year. Azam is alleged to have breached a 2024 government circular limiting civil servants to holding no more than 5% of paid-up capital or RM100,000 in value, whichever is lower, in Malaysian-incorporated companies. Azam said the transaction was declared and the shares were disposed of last year. His lawyers filed a lawsuit against Bloomberg over its report, seeking RM100 million in damages. Bloomberg has stood by its reporting. The government had formed a special committee to probe the shareholding allegations involving Azam, with the findings to be examined by the public services department’s (JPA) disciplinary board. On March 10, Chief Secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said he had received the report from the committee’s chairman, Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar, adding that the board would discuss the matter at an upcoming meeting.