Azam stresses that MACC’s role is not to conduct perception surveys but to uphold the law following persistent allegations to the contrary - January 12, 2026
Anti-graft agency chief Tan Sri Azam Baki says years of scrutiny and public criticism have not shaken his resolve, insisting the commission remains independent and guided strictly by law
AFTER four decades in the anti-corruption service, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki says he has grown accustomed to public scrutiny and negative perceptions, remaining steadfast in carrying out his duties despite repeated criticism.
Often the subject of public attention and controversy, Azam said he has learned not to dwell on accusations levelled against him.
Now 62, he said he would not allow persistent pressure or negative narratives to affect him emotionally or professionally.
Despite facing intense criticism, particularly when high-profile corruption cases emerge, Azam said his personal well-being has not been affected.
“I can sleep at night hugging my wife. I don’t take any medication. I do my job. I do what I am empowered to do and what my responsibilities are,” he said while appearing as a guest on the recent Borak Harini podcast.
Azam was responding to public perceptions and allegations that MACC lacks independence in investigating corruption cases, despite recent actions that he said demonstrate otherwise.
He cited the arrest of a former senior aide to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as evidence of the commission’s impartiality.
The arrest involved former senior political secretary to the prime minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin in November over allegations of soliciting, receiving or agreeing to receive a bribe.
On Dec 4, Shamsul Iskandar was charged in the Sessions Court with agreeing to accept RM100,000 in cash from businessman Albert Tei Jiann Cheing, 37, as an inducement to assist companies owned by Tei in securing mineral exploration licences in Sabah, despite the matter having no connection to the accused’s official duties.
Azam said public opinion often judges enforcement actions based on whether outcomes align with personal expectations.
He stressed that MACC’s role is not to conduct perception surveys but to uphold the law.
“When responsibility is given to me and my officers, am I supposed to go around asking people? The decisions we make are based on the law, existing guidelines and actions we believe are right,” he said.
He added that intense public scrutiny has become the norm. “We cannot really escape public attention. That is the norm now. So it can be said that MACC is very much in the public eye today,” he said.
Addressing concerns over institutional independence, Azam said MACC’s investigative autonomy should not be questioned, noting that the commission is overseen by five independent committees.
“If you want to talk about independence, the current structure shows that we are already independent in terms of investigations,” he said. “We do not make the final decisions. Those are made by the Attorney General’s Chambers. But I am not blaming the Attorney General because those decisions are also based on our investigations.”
Azam said MACC currently has about 2,500 investigating officers nationwide.
Reflecting on his personal work ethic, Azam said he strongly believes in acting without delay and views procrastination as a barrier to success.
“One problem I always remind myself of is that we often delay our work. Delayed work will never be completed. That is my principle in life,” he said.
“People will not succeed if they live by postponing things. From the moment you wake up until you sleep, you delay many things. I don’t know,” he added. - January 12, 2026
MACC, Anti-Corruption, Governance, Accountability, Azam Baki
