Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed reports claiming that Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki will receive another six-month extension. He clarified that no decision has been made yet regarding Azam’s tenure, which is set to conclude in May.
Responding to speculation, Anwar stated that any decision on the matter would be announced in due course. “If a decision has been made, I will announce it. Anyway, his contract is not over yet,” he told reporters after attending Friday prayers.
His remarks come after Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources, reported that Anwar is expected to approve another extension, allowing Azam to remain in his position for an additional six months. If confirmed, this would be Azam’s third extension since he first took charge in March 2020.
Azam was granted a one-year extension on May 10, 2023, followed by another in 2024, keeping him at the helm of the anti-graft agency. His leadership at MACC has been closely scrutinized, with public and political discussions surrounding his tenure.
The government has yet to indicate whether a new appointment is being considered or if Azam will continue leading MACC beyond May.
Separately, Anwar announced that the government’s chosen candidate for the Malaysian ambassador to the United States has received the king’s approval. He assured that an official statement would be made soon.
“A decision has been made, the king has given his consent. We are following the process. Just be patient, (the announcement will be made) in a day or two,” he said.
The appointment of Malaysia’s envoy to the US is seen as a significant diplomatic move, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening international relations. The new ambassador will play a crucial role in fostering bilateral ties and addressing key economic and political issues between both nations.
The MACC chief’s role is instrumental in driving anti-corruption initiatives, making the decision on his tenure a matter of national interest. With the month of May approaching, the prime minister’s next move regarding the leadership of Malaysia’s top anti-corruption agency will be awaited.
Information Source: FMT
Kamran is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.
