Media Statement – 2/4/2026
Suspend Azam Baki NOW Pending Investigation to Reduce Risk of Tampering of Evidence
Azam Baki, the Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must be immediately suspended pending completion of the investigation on the shareholding and the ‘corporate mafia’ scandal that alleged abuse of power by MACC officers.
It is foolhardy not to immediately suspend, and deny Azam physical or even remote access to MACC as he is now a suspect, that may have committed crimes, or maybe involved in crimes. The capacity and the possibility of tampering with evidence must be eliminated. Likewise, all other MACC officers who are suspected to be involved in crimes being investigated must also be immediately suspended temporarily until investigations are completed.
Suspension pending completion of investigation is a temporary, neutral action where any suspected wrongdoer or criminal is removed from the workplace for the purpose of investigation. It is not a disciplinary action itself or proof of guilt. The purpose is to allow for an impartial/independent investigation while keeping the workplace safe, evidence secure and/or preventing any interference with the investigation.
Azam Baki is CHIEF not a mere employee
Azam Baki is not a mere employee or a public officer, but the Chief Commissioner of MACC, and as such he has ‘great power’ and/or influence over all of his subordinates, and access to all matters within MACC – and will be in a position of being able to tamper or ‘disappear’ any evidence that may implicate him and/or others of crimes.
Initially, it was thought that the Cabinet was just investigating Azam Baki’s shareholding – to determine whether at any time he committed an employment misconduct because he owned more that RM100,000 worth of shares, but this has been recently clarified by the Minister.
Azam Being Investigated on both ‘The Corporate Mafia’ Issue, Not Simply About his having more than RM100,000 Shares
Doubts resolved, when on 1/4/2026, it was reported in the media that the investigation is not just about Azam’s shareholding value, but also about the corporate mafia scandal.
‘Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the investigation into alleged corporate manipulation linked to MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, including his shareholdings and claims of a “corporate mafia”, are ongoing and will be made public in due course. He emphasised that the inquiry must be thoroughly completed before any further action can be considered…
“As clarified by the AMLA this past Monday, the investigation is still ongoing. It is therefore essential to ensure the inquiry is fully completed before any further action is taken,” he said during the ministry’s weekly press conference here today…
Fahmi also said following guidance from the Cabinet, particularly Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, any announcements will be made once the two aspects of the investigation have been completed...’ (Malay Mail, 1/4/2026)
The Minister was probably referring to the investigations by Bukit Aman Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing (AMLA) investigation unit. “This case involves several people suspected of committing money laundering offences through various methods, including the acquisition or ownership of publicly listed companies on Bursa Malaysia, as well as private companies,” he (AMLA investigation unit chief Fazlisyam Abd Majid) said at a press conference here today. (FMT, 30/3/2026).
If that be the case, then should not have Azam and other MACC officers suspected rightly be suspended right from the start of that AMLA investigations pending the completion of investigation?
The risk of tampering/destroying evidence is real
The risk of tampering/destroying evidence even in the custody of law enforcement is REAL – remembering also how the Malaysian former spy probably got a DNAA because of this.
‘The [3 MACC] officers, who were detained last week, had allegedly stolen a portion of US$6 million (S$8.1 million) seized from the former director-general of the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO), Datuk Hasanah Abdul Hamid. Some of the stolen cash was replaced with counterfeit currency.’ (Straits Times, 20/9/2021). As a result, the former spy ended up with a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA).
In this case, the suspect is the Chief of MACC, and hence the ability and the risk of tampering with evidence is so much higher.
Rightly, Azam and/or other MACC officers suspected who were being investigated should have been suspended, and their physical and/or virtual access to MACC denied right from the point the AMLA unit started investigations until investigations are completed, and they are found to be innocent.
PM Should Not Be Involved Because of possible ‘Conflict of Interest’?
With regard the Prime Minister, MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture) believes, that since the MACC comes under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s Department, and the PM also is the one who chose Azam Baki as the MACC Chief Commissioner, he should best not be involved in this particular investigation or related matters, by reason of possible ‘conflict of interest’ issues.
How Can MACC Independently Investigate Offences Under the MACC Act?
Some offences may come under the jurisdiction of the MACC, not the police, and thus only the MACC can reasonably investigate such offences under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
As such, MADPET proposes that some other, preferably not from MACC, be appointed in the interim to carry out the duties of the MACC Chief Commissioner so that offences under the MACC Act can also be investigated independently. Other officers, from other law enforcement bodies, should also be assigned to the MACC for this purpose. When it comes to the ‘corporate mafia’, there is still uncertainty as to which MACC officers may have been involved.
Justice must be not only be done, but must be seen to be done. As such, there must be independent investigation and prosecutions, and certainly alleged suspects should never be involved in the investigations.
It is fundamental that only law enforcement and the prosecution are responsible for acting independently when laws are broken.
The Prime Minister and/or the Cabinet should not be in any way be involved in deciding how an alleged crime is investigated or not investigated. It is also not the role of the Chief Secretary to the Government. We have laws, that already imposes duties of law enforcement to investigate when laws are broken.
If others, including the Prime Minister, Minister and even public officers, are involved, they open themselves to possible allegations of crimes of interference and/or obstruction of justice including the Obstruction of investigation (sec. 48 MACC Act) and the crime of obstructing any public servant in the discharge of his public functions (sec. 186 Penal Code).
Anyone who breaks the law will be treated equally, irrespective of the position he/she may hold. This is guaranteed by Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, when it says ‘(1) All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law.’ This means that no one is above the law, and no one will receive any ‘special treatment’ liked delayed investigation and/or prosecution’ just because of the position he/she holds.
Azam Baki’s term ends in about a month on 5/5/2026, but this should never impact considerations of whether to suspend him pending investigations or not. He should have been suspended as soon as AMLA started investigating the ‘corporate media’, and now, he must be immediately be suspended pending end of investigation. The concern is tampering with evidence.
Charles Hector
For and on behalf of MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture)
Fahmi: MACC investigation into Azam Baki’s shareholdings, ‘corporate mafia’ claims to be made public
KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the investigation into alleged corporate manipulation linked to MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, including his shareholdings and claims of a “corporate mafia”, are ongoing and will be made public in due course.
He emphasised that the inquiry must be thoroughly completed before any further action can be considered.
“As clarified by the AMLA this past Monday, the investigation is still ongoing. It is therefore essential to ensure the inquiry is fully completed before any further action is taken,” he said during the ministry’s weekly press conference here today.
He then said that updates on the investigation may be disclosed publicly, but any further steps remain subject to the Cabinet’s decision should they determine at any point that the investigation has reached a stage where additional action is necessary.
Fahmi also said following guidance from the Cabinet, particularly Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, any announcements will be made once the two aspects of the investigation have been completed.
“The matter has been entrusted to the Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, who will oversee the implementation of the necessary procedures,” he added.
Yesterday, it was reported that the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) will take action against Bloomberg over its claims that Anwar Ibrahim interfered in the disclosure of findings concerning Azam Baki shareholdings.
Shamsul Azri also dismissed the foreign news agency’s March 30 report, which alleged that the prime minister had instructed a special committee to delay the release of the investigation into Azam Baki. - Malay Mail, 1/4/2026
Victor Chin arrested, freed on bail in money laundering probe
Bukit Aman’s Amla investigation unit chief Fazlisyam Abd Majid says the businessman 'may be recalled if necessary'.
The operation was conducted between Oct last year and Jan 13 this year, said Bukit Aman Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing (Amla) investigation unit chief Fazlisyam Abd Majid, Bernama reported.
Fazlisyam said Chin was detained in December last year and has since been released on police bail although he may be recalled if necessary.
He said the other six men and three women, believed to be directly linked to the investigation, had also been released on bail. Another 40 have been called in to provide statements.
“This case involves several people suspected of committing money laundering offences through various methods, including the acquisition or ownership of publicly listed companies on Bursa Malaysia, as well as private companies,” he said at a press conference here today.
Fazlisyam highlighted that the operation resulted in the freezing and seizure of various assets, including eight properties, 32 vehicles, 1,100 shares in two private limited companies, Central Depository System (CDS) accounts totalling RM323,588,293, trading accounts amounting to RM64,246,417, and 404 bank accounts holding RM85,624,528.
Fazlisyam said the operation was launched in Oct last year based on intelligence on money laundering activities dating back to 2018.
A formal investigation opened on Oct 25.
He said all parties suspected of being directly or indirectly involved in managing funds derived from unlawful activities are under investigation.
The probe is being carried out under Section 27B and Section 29B of the Moneylenders Act 1951, Section 176 of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007 and Section 221 of the Companies Act 2016.
On March 16, the police confirmed that they had raided several premises belonging to Chin, who is alleged to be involved in corporate manipulation linked to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
Separately, Fazlisyam noted that authorities have not received any report regarding Chin’s claim that an MP had demanded RM10 million to assist in resolving the corporate manipulation issue. - FMT, 30/3/2026
Three Malaysian graft busters detained for allegedly stealing funds in case involving former spy chief
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Former Malaysian spy chief Hasanah Abdul Hamid was charged in 2018 with criminal breach of trust, but was later granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal in the High Court.
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