THE Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Centre) and the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) have called on the government to immediately disclose the findings of investigations into former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
They warned that his continued role on the National Centre for Financial Crime Prevention (NFCC) Advisory Board undermines public confidence in the country's anti-corruption framework.
The two organisations said Azam's participation in a recent NFCC Advisory Board meeting had raised serious concerns, given that multiple allegations involving him have yet to be conclusively resolved.
They also expressed disappointment that the findings of investigations conducted against Azam have not been made public.
In the first of four demands issued on Saturday, C4 Centre and Bersih urged the Special Investigation Committee that examined allegations involving Azam to immediately release its findings for public scrutiny.
"The second demand is for the government to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to exercise powers under Section 2(1) of the Commissions of Enquiry Act 1950 to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI).
"The RCI should be chaired by a respected former member of the judiciary to investigate allegations involving the corporate mafia, Azam's alleged involvement in those claims, as well as issues relating to his shareholdings," the organisations said in a joint statement.
The renewed demands follow criticism by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who recently questioned the justification for Azam's appointment as an adviser to the NFCC in light of allegations surrounding corporate mafia links and his past share ownership controversy.
Beyond the proposed RCI, C4 Centre and Bersih called for structural reforms to remove the appointment of the MACC chief commissioner from executive control, arguing that the responsibility should instead rest with the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) in the Dewan Rakyat.
They said appointments should be made through a transparent process based on clearly defined criteria, while the removal of the MACC chief commissioner should follow safeguards equivalent to those governing the dismissal of Federal Court judges.
The organisations further proposed placing the MACC under direct parliamentary oversight through the PSSC, with the committee empowered to conduct investigations, summon witnesses, obtain official documents and recommend action over misconduct.
According to the joint statement, Azam's tenure as MACC chief commissioner had been marked by a series of controversies and allegations involving both himself and the commission.
C4 Centre and Bersih argued that the NFCC cannot credibly claim authority in combating financial crime if an individual repeatedly linked to such allegations continues to sit on its advisory board.
"At the same time, the failure of the relevant institutions to take action against Azam and the MACC leadership only makes his presence in the NFCC even more troubling.
"This situation creates the impression that the government is not treating corruption and financial crime seriously, while also giving rise to the perception that Azam is receiving preferential treatment," the statement said.
The organisations also questioned the Prime Minister's Department's explanation that Azam has served on the NFCC Advisory Board since 2024, arguing that this only deepens concerns over why he has remained on the body despite ongoing investigations.
They further raised concerns over the position of Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, who sits alongside Azam on the NFCC Advisory Board while simultaneously chairing the committee investigating the former MACC chief commissioner.
According to C4 Centre and Bersih, the overlapping roles could create a conflict of interest and cast doubt over the transparency, impartiality and effectiveness of the investigation. - July 4, 2026
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