Azam Baki’s tenure as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) chief commissioner has been extended for a year.
His contract was set to end on May 12.
Azam was appointed MACC chief commissioner on March 9, 2020 following the resignation of his predecessor, Latheefa Koya, after the fall of the former Pakatan Harapan government.
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In a statement today, chief secretary to the government Zuki Ali said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had consented to the contract extension.
In late 2021, Azam made the headlines following allegations that he owned shares and warrants.
He denied any wrongdoing, but several watchdog groups and PH leaders called for an investigation to be opened into the matter.
Azam was also reported to have been queried by three different MACC committees over the matter.
However, then law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the issue was resolved after the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) decided that there was no case.
In the Dewan Rakyat last month, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim defended his decision not to replace Azam, saying he wanted to break the convention that a change of guard in the agency was necessary whenever a new prime minister was appointed.
Anwar said his decision was also influenced by MACC’s status as an independent body.
Source: FMT