The special task force investigating shareholding allegations involving Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki has officially begun its work, marking a pivotal moment for public trust in Malaysia’s anti-graft framework.
According to Attorney-General Tan Sri Dusuki Mokhtar, who chairs the panel, “the investigation has begun” and the team is currently collecting information related to the case. The task force was formed following a Cabinet directive after Bloomberg News reported that Azam held 17.7 million shares in Velocity Capital Bhd - a stake allegedly exceeding limits set for civil servants.
Under a 2024 government circular, public officers are prohibited from owning more than 5% of a company’s paid-up capital or shares valued above RM100,000. Bloomberg reported that Azam’s stake, at one point, was worth close to RM800,000. Azam has since maintained that the shares were declared through proper channels and later disposed of. He has also initiated legal proceedings against Bloomberg, describing the report as libellous and misleading.
Panel Composition Raises Eyebrows
The task force comprises Dusuki as chairman, Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, and Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz. The committee will submit its findings to the prime minister and the disciplinary authority.
However, the panel’s composition has sparked bipartisan criticism. Lawmakers from PKR, DAP, and PAS have questioned the independence of a probe chaired by the attorney-general - the very authority responsible for prosecutions.
DAP legal bureau chairman Ramkarpal Singh labelled the committee a potential “toothless tiger,” arguing it lacks powers to compel witnesses or produce documents. He warned that without broader investigative authority, the panel risks relying solely on Azam’s explanations and reaching limited conclusions.
PKR’s Hassan Karim echoed concerns over a possible conflict of interest, noting that if prosecution becomes necessary, the Attorney-General’s Chambers would ultimately handle the case. “It is elementary that the AG cannot investigate and prosecute at the same time,” Ramkarpal stressed.
Broader Allegations Demand Scrutiny
Complicating matters further are separate allegations published by Bloomberg claiming that certain MACC officials colluded with businessmen in forced corporate takeovers. Critics argue the task force’s current mandate appears confined to the shareholding issue, leaving these more serious institutional allegations unaddressed.
Advocacy group G25 and several MPs have proposed that the investigation be led by a retired senior judge and a respected and independent civil society leader - such as former chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat - or alternatively by an independent Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI). They also called for Azam Baki to be placed on leave pending the outcome of the probe to safeguard the integrity and credibility of the proceedings.
Azam, for his part, insists he has “nothing to hide” and remains fully compliant with asset declaration requirements.
A Defining Moment for Public Confidence
This controversy transcends one individual - who must be completely beyond doubt in matters of integrity. At stake is the credibility of Malaysia’s foremost anti-corruption body. The MACC’s moral authority depends not only on enforcing the law but also on being perceived as above reproach.
As the task force begins collecting evidence, Malaysians will be watching closely. The investigation must not only be fair - it must be seen to be fair. In matters of national integrity, perception can be as powerful as proof.
Whether this panel restores confidence or deepens scepticism may ultimately define whether Malaysia’s fight against corruption is sincere - or merely a rhetorical show.
By: Kpost
Information Source:
Fmt , Fmt , Fmt , Malaysiakini , TheEdge
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