Black-clad Malaysians protest against anti-graft chief over alleged shareholdings, abuse of power
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The crowd of mainly young people waving black flags and placards as they assembled outside a shopping mall in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
PHOTO: RAFIZI RAMLI/FACEBOOK
KUALA LUMPUR – Hundreds of black-clad Malaysians gathered in the capital on Feb 15, calling for the arrest of anti-graft chief Azam Baki after reports alleged that he had improper shareholdings and that abuse of power took place in the commission he leads.
The crowd of mainly young people waved black flags and placards as they assembled outside a shopping mall in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, with a major road temporarily shut to accommodate the demonstration.
“We are gathering because the dignity of the law has been toyed with, and the country’s dignity has been trampled on,” opposition politician Amira Aisya Abd Aziz told the cheering protesters.
“Enough is enough. Malaysia’s youth, Malaysia’s citizens, won’t sit quiet and close their eyes, nor will they stop demanding Azam Baki be arrested.”
The event marked the biggest street protest since Malaysians rallied in October
The New Straits Times reported that there were about 1,000 protesters, including student groups, civil society organisations and politicians.
Members of the ruling Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) also took part in the deomnstration, with former economy minister Rafizi Ramli saying that those present had no choice but to protest repeatedly to ensure action is taken against the anti-graft chief.
An annual filing by Velocity Capital Partner to the Companies Commission of Malaysia on Feb 3, 2025, showed that Mr Azam, head of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, owned 17.7 million shares of the financial services firm, Bloomberg News reported.
The stock would have been worth almost RM800,000 (S$259,000) on Feb 10, the day Bloomberg published its report.
A 2024 Malaysian government circular, which provides guidance on 1993 regulations stipulating the conduct of public officials, says a public servant may buy shares in a company incorporated in Malaysia on the condition that they don’t exceed 5 per cent of its paid-up capital or RM100,000 in value, whichever is lower.
They also must declare assets at least once every five years and at the time of purchase and sale of holdings.
On Feb 12, Bloomberg published a report alleging that officials at the commission were helping a group of businessmen seize control of companies.
Both the agency and the businessmen who responded to requests for comment from Bloomberg denied any wrongdoing.
Mr Azam on Feb 15 said he would cooperate fully with a special committee set up by the government
The publication cited him as saying there was no reason for him to go on leave pending the probe. BLOOMBERG
