THE nation’s outgoing chief anti-corruption official has defended his long and often controversial career, saying his refusal to “take the safe route” in pursuing investigations has resulted in him accumulating more enemies than friends.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, who completes his service on Tuesday, said his four decades in public service had been defined by a willingness to pursue difficult and politically sensitive cases rather than avoid them.
“I admit that I have not had many friends since serving in the Anti-Corruption Agency, and later the MACC, and becoming its chief commissioner has only given me more enemies,” he said.
“When I was in service, I tended not to do anything ‘safe’ because I felt that leading in such a way would be like doing nothing.”
Azam said his approach was reflected in several major investigations during his tenure, including cases involving former Malaysian prime ministers.
He referred to past enforcement actions involving former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who faced multiple charges linked to alleged abuse of power involving RM225.3 million in connection with the Jana Wibawa project.
He also referenced the conviction of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who was found guilty in cases involving SRC International Sdn Bhd and 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Azam said such high-profile prosecutions had inevitably drawn criticism.
“In Malaysia’s history, the MACC has investigated former prime ministers, and some are still serving,” he said.
“Many are not satisfied with the investigative approach taken because my principle is clear: whoever is guilty must be charged regardless of position.”
He said corruption investigations were inherently more complex than conventional crimes, as they often involved tightly knit networks designed to conceal wrongdoing.
“Corruption crimes often occur in small groups that protect each other, making them harder to detect compared to crimes like robbery or theft,” he said.
“There are cases that continue for years without being directly detected.”
Azam also called for broader cooperation across professional fields to strengthen investigative capabilities, including expertise from accounting, engineering, medicine and law.
“Each background brings different perspectives and expertise that can help make investigations more effective,” he said.
Azam was appointed Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on 9 March 2020, succeeding Latheefa Koya, and has since received multiple contract extensions.
Born on 12 May 1963 in Negeri Sembilan, he began his career in the then Anti-Corruption Agency in 1984 and served under three Malaysian prime ministers: Muhyiddin Yassin, Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Anwar Ibrahim.
He said he is prepared to leave public service after receiving three successive one-year extensions in May 2023, May 2024 and May 2025, noting that the decision was ultimately made by the relevant authorities.
“There were parties who tried to block the extension, but it was not my decision to determine it,” he said.
“The decision was made by the appropriate authorities and I must ultimately be grateful for the opportunity given.”
Former High Court judge Abdul Halim Aman is set to succeed him as Malaysia’s new anti-corruption chief, effective Wednesday. - May 11, 2026
