MALAYSIAN Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki stressed that his acquisition of RM800,000 worth of shares in a financial services company was conducted transparently and did not violate any laws.
He described the recent report by a foreign news agency on the transaction as malicious, pointing out that he had purchased the shares in 2025 and disposed of them within a year.
In a recent interview, he pointed out that he did not hold any such shares at present.
Q: Recent international media reports have alleged that you held shares without declaring them. What is your response?
A: That allegation is incorrect. The shares referred to were properly declared through the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) to the Public Service Department (JPA) in 2025, in accordance with public service regulations. They were acquired and fully disposed of within the same year. I do not hold any such shares at present.
Q: The report suggests that you did not publicly declare your assets. Is that accurate?
A: No, it is totally misleading. Asset declaration by public officers in Malaysia is governed by established administrative procedures, not ad hoc public disclosure. Declarations are made through official channels to the Public Service Department (JPA), including my sources of income, and I have complied fully with those requirements throughout my service. It is either that the international media reporter is ignorant of this fact, or they are mischievous in their reporting.
Q: There arise some questions that, as a civil servant, how could you afford the RM800,000 shareholding?
A: As I answered, I have declared my sources of income and assets to the JPA. As a government officer who has served the civil service for more than 40 years with a Gred Utama Turus II, my pensions and gratuity, plus salary and savings, are more than enough to cover my share purchases. There is nothing against the law for any citizen to acquire shares with legitimate remuneration. All my assets are declared promptly - my sources of income, salaries, assets - and there are no questions arising on how I can afford to buy shares, as long as no laws are contravened.
Q: Why do you think this issue has resurfaced now?
A: I cannot speculate on motives. What I can say is that selective and incomplete information, when taken out of context, can create misleading narratives. That is why verification and balance are fundamental to responsible journalism, especially for international media to stay credible.
Q: Did you or MACC respond to the queries from the media outlet before the article was published?
A: Yes. MACC did respond. However, the queries sent were jumbled up with multiple matters unrelated to the shareholding issue. It also included allegations that were unverified or sourced from anonymous platforms and blogs. As a matter of principle, MACC does not respond to unverified claims or speculative allegations. A general response was therefore provided to reflect that position. Unfortunately, this was subsequently portrayed as a lack of response, which is inaccurate.
Q: Does this issue affect the integrity of MACC or its work?
A: MACC’s work is institutional, professional and guided by law. The Commission’s officers continue to discharge their duties independently and without fear or favour. This issue should not be conflated with the integrity of the Commission, which functions based on systems, oversight and accountability. However, this issue can affect the perception of people towards the credibility of MACC as a law enforcement agency.
Q: You are considering legal action. Why?
A: I respect the role of the media, but reporting must be fair and accurate. Where publication crosses into misrepresentation that damages personal reputation and public trust, I am entitled to seek redress through lawful means. Hence, I will be suing Bloomberg for defamation and slander. This is about defending facts and integrity, not only of my personal reputation but that of my Commission, and this should not be misconstrued as silencing the media.
Q: What is your message to the public?
A: I have served in public office for decades and remain committed to integrity and accountability. I urge the public to assess issues based on verified facts, not insinuations and unfounded allegations. MACC will continue its mandate to fight corruption in the national interest. – February 11, 2026
