SINGAPORE (April 3): Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is poised to extend anti-graft commission head Tan Sri Azam Baki’s term, people familiar with the matter said, despite criticism by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) about the appointment process and allegations by politicians and others that the agency practices selective prosecution.

Anwar plans to give Azam, who has denied the selective prosecution allegations, a six-month extension as chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) when his term ends in May, the people said. They asked not to be identified because the information is private.

The announcement is likely to be made in early May, the people said, adding that the plan may change. Civil servants in Malaysia are supposed to retire when they become 60, but Azam, who turns 62 on May 12, has already had his term extended by one year twice. Azam is the first MACC chief commissioner to have his term extended beyond the mandatory retirement age.

Representatives for the Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia didn’t respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the MACC declined to comment. Azam’s previous reappointments spurred criticism of Anwar and his vows to clean up the country’s governance.

NGOs have called for the MACC chief to be appointed by parliamentary committee, rather than by the king on the advice of the prime minister, saying the current method makes the chief commissioner beholden to the prime minister.

Anwar has discussed with officials that giving Azam a full-year extension may fuel criticism of the government, one of the people said. 

Singapore’s Straits Times first reported on the possible extension.

Under Azam, the MACC opened investigations into at least three of Anwar’s adversaries and their families, including former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, while not acting on a complaint by a politician about share purchases by one of Anwar’s allies, Bloomberg News reported in September.

Four people familiar with the situation, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential matters, said at the time that both MACC officials and political allies of the prime minister were under the impression that the two men had reached an understanding: Azam would have his term extended as MACC chief commissioner, in return for taking action against Anwar’s opponents.


Azam and Anwar denied they had an understanding and said the MACC operates independently of the prime minister.

The MACC has since launched an investigation into Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the prime minister before Anwar, who hails from the United Malays National Organisation (Umno). That party has long been Anwar’s opponent, but is currently part of his coalition. Ismail Sabri said he would cooperate with the probe and denied speculation that he and some Umno lawmakers had withdrawn support from the government. 

Azam denied that the case was selective prosecution, according to local newspaper The Star.

Read also:
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MACC: Ismail Sabri a ‘suspect’ in probe involving RM700 mil Keluarga Malaysia promotion campaign 
Alternative Views: There’s a dire need for transparency in political financing 
Mahathir's two sons declare RM1.2 bil assets to MACC — Bloomberg

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