Latest news with #AzamBaki
The Sun
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
MACC ready to send officers to Denmark
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is ready to send its officers to Denmark to enhance their knowledge and study best practices in corruption prevention. Its Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki shared this in a Facebook post on the commission's official page, following a visit by Danish Ambassador to Malaysia, Kristine Vangkilde Berner, to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya today. 'I am greatly encouraged by the International Division of the Danish Parliamentary Ombudsman's intention to visit Malaysia to explore potential institutional collaboration. 'This meeting also paves the way for MACC to develop more instrumental anti-corruption networks,' Azam said in the post. He added that the Danish Embassy in Malaysia had conveyed its willingness to collaborate with the MACC on anti-corruption initiatives.
Barnama
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
MACC Ready To Send Officers To Denmark
KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is ready to send its officers to Denmark to enhance their knowledge and study best practices in corruption prevention. Its Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki shared this in a Facebook post on the commission's official page, following a visit by Danish Ambassador to Malaysia, Kristine Vangkilde Berner, to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya today. 'I am greatly encouraged by the International Division of the Danish Parliamentary Ombudsman's intention to visit Malaysia to explore potential institutional collaboration.
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Danish Embassy, MACC foster cooperation on anti-corruption efforts
KUALA LUMPUR: The Embassy of Denmark in Malaysia has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in efforts to combat corruption. Danish Ambassador to Malaysia Kirstine Vangkilde Berner said the Danish Parliamentary Ombudsman's international division is also interested in visiting Malaysia, an opportunity to establish cooperation with the MACC. She said this during a courtesy call on MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki at the MACC headquarters here today. Azam, in a statement posted on MACC's Facebook page, welcomed the embassy's interest and expressed the MACC's willingness to send officers to Denmark to enhance their knowledge and learn best practices in anti-corruption work. "I am encouraged by the international division of the Danish Parliamentary Ombudsman's interest in visiting Malaysia to explore institutional collaboration opportunities. "This meeting also paves the way for the MACC to build more impactful anti-corruption networks," he said. Also present were MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Sri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya, Policy, Planning and Research Division director Rasidah Abdul Karim, Deputy Head of Mission of the Royal Danish Embassy Merve Yalcin and political assistant Subateeswarran Looganaden.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
RM177mil cash seizure among largest in agency's history
KAJANG: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki revealed today the RM177 million seized in a case linked to the ninth prime minister is one of the largest sums he has seen in his 42-year career. He said the only comparable case was the RM53.3 million found during the 2016 Sabah Water Department scandal, previously the biggest in his experience. Azam made the remarks, without specifically naming Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, while launching Universiti Islam Selangor's (UIS) integrity policy. He said the massive amount of cash had a strong "scent of money." "I remember holding a press conference in October 2016 where I saw mountains of cash stacked in an MACC room in Sabah. Even if there had been faeces in that room, you wouldn't have smelled it because the only smell was that of money, sweet, tempting. At a March 3 press conference, the MACC displayed nearly RM170 million in foreign currencies and 16kg of gold bars worth almost RM7 million. The items were seized from three locations, including a "safe house", in a corruption and money laundering probe involving Ismail Sabri, according to the MACC. The cash was in currencies including Baht, Riyal, Pound, Won, Euro, Swiss Franc, and Yuan. Azam also addressed claims of selective prosecution made earlier this year. "I responded: just look at the money on the table, does this look like a case of selective prosecution?" he said. He said members of the Special Committee on Corruption recently questioned him about claims of systemic corruption in Malaysia. "I told them, the corruption we're seeing today stems from the values instilled in us by our families, our own attitudes, and the environments where we were educated. "We once had leaders determined to combat corruption, which led to the formation of the Anti-Corruption Agency (BPR). "But after the economy began to boom and more people amassed wealth from the share market, society began chasing material wealth. Integrity took a backseat. We even began raising our children to chase success and money rather than teaching them to be good and useful people," he said.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
States should draft laws to govern mosque finances, says MACC
KAJANG: The Islamic authorities in all states should draft laws governing the financial management of mosques, said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the commission had been receiving more complaints about the financial management and procurement processes of mosques and surau. "I strongly encourage this effort, starting with the Selangor Islamic Religious Council, but ideally, it should be extended to all state religious councils across the country. "Mosque management is crucial not only because mosques are symbols of Islam, but also because the institution itself must be strengthened. "Some mosques, particularly those in cities, manage large sums of money and require proper oversight," he said. Azam was speaking to reporters after launching Universiti Islam Selangor's Integrity Policy here today. He said religious councils must introduce clear regulations to ensure regular and consistent monitoring of mosque affairs. "This would also enable appropriate action to be taken against mosque committees or members who breach governance standards or violate rules set by their respective state religious authorities." He said that the absence of explicit state-level regulations governing mosque management has hindered the MACC's ability to act. "Because there are no clear regulations under the respective state enactments, the MACC cannot take legal action when members of mosque committees violate ambiguous or non-existent rules," he said. Azam said that while the MACC Act is a federal law applicable nationwide, it lacks specific provisions for mosque administration. "Our Act covers general misconduct across the country, but it doesn't specifically address the governance of mosque institutions. "This is unlike other sectors, such as cooperatives, which are governed by clearly defined laws. "For mosques, a more tailored legal framework is needed under each state's jurisdiction," he said. He said the financial responsibilities of some mosques were substantial, yet they operated without sufficient oversight. Earlier, in his officiating speech, Azam cited the purchase of cattle for korban (ritual sacrifice) as an example of mosque transactions that should be managed. "I once spoke to a cattle supplier who revealed that mosque committees had requested inflated prices. The actual cost was RM3,500, but they asked for it to be listed as RM4,500. He named several mosques that had engaged in such practices. "Unfortunately, cases like these are not uncommon. In our society, particularly when it involves religious affairs, people tend to avoid asking too many questions. "This culture of silence creates opportunities for individuals to enrich themselves," he said. Azam said places of worship of other faiths also needed to manage their financial transactions.
