Letter to Editor
THE recent extension of Tan Sri Azam Baki’s tenure as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner is not just another footnote in Malaysian politics—it is a damning indictment of the Madani government’s failure to honour its reform pledges.
Once again, Malaysians watch in disbelief as a government that promised integrity and transparency instead chooses to uphold the status quo, protecting power rather than principle.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s decision to extend Azam’s contract—for a third time—despite the growing criticism and deepening controversies surrounding MACC is nothing short of appalling.
It comes at a time when the agency is under intense scrutiny—most notably for its handling of the Sabah graft scandal and the shocking abduction of Pamela Ling.
In any functioning democracy, these would be red flags; but in Malaysia Madani administration, they are shrugged off in favour of political expediency.
The extension is not just tone-deaf—it’s a slap in the face to the rakyat who placed their trust in this administration. Many remember Anwar once speaking out against Azam, particularly in relation to his alleged share ownership scandal.
Back then, Anwar was hailed as a reformist, a voice of accountability. Today, he stands as yet another prime minister who caves to political convenience, reinforcing the growing perception that power in Putrajaya can make one unprincipled, even the most vocal reformers.
Extending Azam’s tenure reeks of political self-interest rather than institutional merit. It sends a chilling message to others within MACC—that loyalty to the political elite trumps competence or credibility.
Are we to believe there is no other qualified officer who could take the helm of MACC? This isn’t a matter of continuity; it’s a matter of control.
This move is yet another stark reminder of why the MACC must be made independent. So long as the prime minister holds the prerogative to appoint or extend the chief commissioner, the agency will never be free from the taint of political interference.
The very structure of this power dynamic enables abuse, and in this case, the abuse is loud and clear.
The government must stop hiding behind constitutional formality and own up to its choices. The responsibility for this controversial extension lies squarely on Anwar’s shoulders.
The hypocrisy doesn’t end there. Nurul Izzah, once vocal in her criticism of Azam’s leadership, now appears to be capitalising on that stance purely for political gain.
Her recent comments opposing the extension—an appointment made by none other than her own father, the—reek of strategic posturing.
This isn’t about reform; it’s about optics. It’s a calculated prime minister move to paint herself as a dissenting voice, a supposed reformist, in time for her bid to become the party’s number two.
But Malaysians aren’t fools. This charade is nothing more than a drama staged for internal party delegates and the gullible public—a feigned rebellion to boost her appeal among grassroots voters.
It is a shameless attempt to cash in on the public’s yearning for reform while remaining firmly embedded in the very power structure that perpetuates these failures. Reform has become nothing more than a costume—worn for show, discarded in private.
And then there’s Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, another so-called reformist who should have long ago addressed the elephant in the room: Azam’s continued presence at the helm of MACC. But silence reigned, and for good reason.
Rafizi himself once vowed during the 15th General Election campaigning to go after Azam if PKR is elected to power. Yet, once comfortably in power, Rafizi did a complete U-turn, dismissing his campaign promise as a mere “political soundbite.”
That admission alone reveals the depth of political dishonesty at play.
Now, as he eyes for the PKR deputy presidency, Azam’s name magically re-emerges in Rafizi’s narrative.
He suddenly cannot “accept” the extension and claims to be outraged. How convenient. Is this not just another recycled soundbite meant to sway party voters and give the illusion of principle?
Enough, Rafizi. The public has grown tired of your flip-flops and theatrics. You’re no different from the rest—another politician weaponising public anger for personal gain while doing absolutely nothing to confront the rot when it truly mattered.
This moment should awaken the public: political elites will always protect their interests, even at the cost of public trust and democratic principles.
While the ruling class manoeuvres for power, the rakyat is left to suffer under broken promises and an increasingly disillusioned system.
Azam’s extension is not a sign of strength. It is a symptom of weakness, of a government afraid to let go of tools that can be bent to serve political survival. This is not the Malaysia we were promised. This is the Malaysia of betrayal, where reform is shelved, truth is silenced, and the people are once again forgotten.
This is the voice of a frustrated public, a voice betrayed by a power-Mad(ani) government that has proven it is no different from those it once condemned. – May 14, 2025
James Vasanthan
Kuala Lumpur
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image:
