YESTERDAY (March 30), the cyberspace was abuzz with yet another Bloomberg damning exposé of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim instructing officials to avoid immediately releasing the shareholding report of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) head honcho Tan Sri Azam Baki.
Citing anonymous sources, the financial portal hinted that PMX is poised to let Azam step aside after his term ends on May 12,
Summary
• PMX minta tangguh pendedahan laporan siasatan pegangan Saham KP SPRM, Azam Baki.
• Pendedahan awal boleh jejaskan imej kerajaan, lebih-lebih lagi jika PRU berlaku tahun ini
• Azam dijangka tamat kontrak 12 Mei.
• Dilaporkan beliau sedang berusaha untuk dilantik… https://t.co/r26NZvoJ6h pic.twitter.com/RdUpYRYdLz
— Tok Hang (@Tok_Hang67) March 30, 2026
However, this does not bring an end to the illustrious career of the 62-year-old who is one a third consecutive one-year contract extension since May 2023 as “three people familiar with the matter” had vouched that Azam has been campaigning to be made a senator after he leaves the job.
Assuming that such speculation crystalises, not only will Azam NOT vanish from radar but he may even outlive his once bitter foe-turned-biggest backer, PMX, with a possible two three-year terms which added up to six years on the card.
What’s next on Azam’s sleeves
Pursuant to a sarcasm by Madani critic Sharifuddin Abdul Latiff that “from out-going MACC chief to potential senator, Azam Baki is very difficult to get rid of 😎”, netizens have a hilarious time engaging in why such is the case with Azam who was first appointed to his current capacity in March 2020 during the Muhyiddin administration.
“Methinks someone has someone’s guli’s (literally, ‘marble’) in a vice,” jibed one commenter who is an author with another confirming her guess.
Another marvelled at Azam’s talent “in having everyone’s balls in his hands and knows when and how much to squeeze”.
Other went on to envisage Azam first as “senator and then a full minister” with the poster assuming it would be the Home Minister’s (HM) portfolio that could be targetted.
“Indeed he has the perfect Madani CV and DNA to be the HM. Though Saifuddin (Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail) is like Messi under Madani – undropoable,” confirmed the commenter.
There is also possibility of Azam having a “Buku 555” in his possession, of which the “little book” could have grown into “a ledger” by now.
As for now, Azam remains a controversial personality within the opposition circle following his:
- Unresolved shareholding scandal (Shareholding 2.0): Reports allege that Azam held millions of shares in various companies, thus violating regulations that restrict public servants from holding more than RM100,000 in shares.
- Contradictory explanations: The scandal initially involved allegations that he allowed his brother to use his trading account, a claim that sparked intense scrutiny regarding the source of funds and potential proxy trading (although he was eventually cleared by the Securities Commission Malaysia).
- Protests and credibility concerns: Civil society groups like BERSIH (Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections) have protested, demanding his removal, arguing that as the head of an anti-corruption agency, he should be “spotless”.
- Political compromise allegations: Critics argue that PMX is shielding Azam Baki for political expediency, potentially to target political opponents which has led to accusations of hypocrisy against the Madani government.
At the end of the day, Madani critic Sharifuddin aptly concluded that “whomever decides to consider Azam Baki as a senator candidate must be absolutely bonkers lah”.
“DSAI (PMX) will be mad to recommend Azam Baki for senatorship. If he does so, it will be the clearest proof that the PM is covering up for the tainted MACC chief commissioner,” added a commenter who seconded that notion. – March 31, 2026
Main image credit: Sharifuddin Abdul Latiff/Facebook
