C4 Centre condemns Azam Baki's reappointment as MACC chief commissioner for third term

Borneo Post

13-05-2025

Azam has been reappointed MACC chief commissioner for a third time. — Bernama photo
KUCHING (May 13): The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Centre) has condemned the decision to reappoint Tan Sri Datuk Seri Azam Baki as Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner for another one-year term.
The C4 Centre said the primary criticism of the current appointment process is that it is effectively carried out on the unilateral discretion of the prime minister, which clearly introduces an inherent risk of political considerations colouring the direction of the MACC's operations,' it said in a statement yesterday.
The centre said this criticism goes beyond the selection of Azam that allows the prime minister to handpick the leader of the nation's anti-graft agency.
Until and unless this process is holistically reformed, C4 Centre said public faith in the integrity of the criminal justice system will always be tarnished.
'It is appalling that the Anwar administration has repeatedly failed to introduce any change despite multiple opportunities to do something,' the centre lamented.
It said commitments had been made by the current federal government to reform the appointment process, both domestically and internationally, yet seemingly no progress has been made.
The centre said under the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2024 to 2028, the initiative for 'relooking' requirements for the appointment and dismissal of the MACC chief commissioner is a long-term sub-strategy, with an anticipated period of four to five years for implementation.
'Even if the argument is made that legal amendments take time to draft and enact, there is nothing preventing the government from introducing measures at the policy level to decentralise and democratise the appointment process, e.g. by introducing an open call for candidates, receiving input from opposition MPs and civil society representatives, and maintaining transparency throughout the selection process.
'If the prime minister wishes to show his commitment to upholding good governance and combating corruption, these are actionable steps that can be taken in the short-term,' said the centre.
Instead, it said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's administration had opted to sit back and stay silent on MACC reform.
C4 Centre opined the third reappointment of Azam showed Putrajaya did not view MACC reform as an area worth championing.
'We would note that this approach will only be detrimental to the government, as any action taken by the MACC will always be coloured by a public perception of unfairness.
'Whichever government implements measures to protect the independence of the MACC chief commissioner will ultimately benefit from greater public trust in the integrity of the criminal justice system, and it is a shame that the Anwar administration continues to fail to grasp this fact,' added the centre. Azam Baki C4 Centre Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism MACC