Azam Urges Full Support For New MACC Leadership

PUTRAJAYA, May 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki has urged all MACC personnel to give their full cooperation to the new leadership and refrain from any actions that could undermine or sabotage the agency.

Concluding his service with the MACC today, Azam said that esprit de corps within the commission was necessary to ensure it remained relevant and successful in its anti-corruption agenda.

“If (MACC) officers do not cooperate, (it) means that they are sabotaging the organisation itself.

“It (giving cooperation) is important. In any organisation, we must all obey the leader even if the leader is not of our choosing.

“When new leadership comes in, this is what I always stress from my past experience…whoever takes over as leader, we will obey because we are still officers serving the people and the country,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after a special appreciation ceremony held in his honour here today, Azam urged MACC members to continue their efforts and take effective action in combating corruption down to the grassroots level.

“The most important thing is that this organisation remains relevant as it was built by the previous leadership and I am only continuing the legacy left for the country and the people,” he said.

Asked about his plans after retirement, Azam said he would continue to serve the people and the country by upholding good governance and supporting MACC’s anti-corruption efforts.

“I will continue to work and serve the people as long as I am needed. I will also do my best to help in any way I can, drawing on my experience in upholding good governance and integrity,” he said.

Azam also expressed his appreciation to the media for their role in disseminating information and for supporting him throughout his tenure as MACC chief commissioner.

“I am truly touched by the support of all my media friends, whether from online portals, electronic media, mainstream media and so on,” he said.

Born on May 12, 1963 in Negeri Sembilan, Azam holds a Bachelor of Jurisprudence (External) from Universiti Malaya and began his career as an investigating officer at the Anti-Corruption Agency (Badan Pencegah Rasuah) headquarters on May 8, 1985, before its restructuring into a commission in 2009.

Throughout his 42 years in public service, Azam held several key positions in the MACC, including director of the Intelligence Division, director of the Investigation Division and deputy chief commissioner (Operations), before being appointed chief commissioner in March 2020.

On April 25, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, consented to the appointment of former High Court judge Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Aman as the new MACC chief commissioner, effective May 13.

--BERNAMA