Activists set a 60-day deadline for MACC reforms after rally, demanding parliamentary oversight and investigation into alleged misconduct.
KUALA LUMPUR: The ‘Tangkap Azam Baki’ protest concluded today with a firm demand for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Organisers and speakers intensified their calls for investigations into alleged “corporate mafia” influence and broader institutional reforms.
Former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli reiterated his pledge to push for an RCI, asserting that the controversy has transcended an individual case to reflect deeper concerns regarding institutional integrity and independence.
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“This issue will not end with today’s rally. It is a symbol of a larger concern among the rakyat—the question of integrity and the independence of institutions like the MACC,” Rafizi told reporters following the event.
He argued that an RCI is essential to “get to the bottom of everything” and to address persistent claims that the anti-graft agency could be susceptible to influence from specific business interests.
Rafizi also criticised the government’s delay in releasing findings related to outgoing MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki, particularly regarding share ownership allegations.
“The fact that, after approximately two months, the government is still dilly-dallying over that report clearly signifies that something is amiss,” he said.
“The more you delay it, the more it confirms the suspicion that there may be a cover-up.”
Rafizi proposed that institutional reform must include a change in how the MACC leadership is selected, suggesting that the appointment of future chiefs should be subject to a parliamentary vote before being submitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
He urged the public and the media to remain vigilant, noting that meaningful change in Malaysia has historically been driven by public pressure rather than internal government initiatives.
“Meaningful change in this country has always begun from the streets,” he remarked.
The Tangkap Azam Baki Secretariat has officially given the government a 60-day window to implement key reforms.
In a statement read by Bersih Chairman Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz, the group acknowledged the appointment of Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Aman as the new Chief Commissioner but insisted that a change in personnel was insufficient.
“The issue does not end with a change in MACC leadership. Concrete action must be taken,” the statement read.
The Secretariat’s primary demands include:
- An Independent RCI: To investigate “corporate mafia” allegations, with commissioners drawn exclusively from outside the executive, civil service, and Attorney-General’s Chambers.
- Parliamentary Oversight: Placing the MACC under the direct supervision of Parliament to ensure transparency.
The group pledged to continue mobilising civil society, youth organisations, and political parties to maintain sustained pressure on the administration until these demands are met.
