Malaysia’s Anwar defends lengthening tenure of anti-graft chief
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Mr Azam Baki's term as chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission was lengthened by a year starting on May 13, the third extension since he turned 60 years old.
PHOTO: BERNAMA
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim defended an extension of the anti-corruption agency head’s tenure, saying Mr Azam Baki has been brave in going after powerful figures allegedly embroiled in corruption and abuse of power.
Mr Azam’s term as chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was lengthened by a year starting on May 13, the third extension since he turned 60.
He is also the first head of the agency to have his employment prolonged beyond the mandatory retirement age, stoking public debate about Datuk Seri Anwar’s pledges to improve Malaysia’s governance.
“I don’t deny there has been a lot of criticism,” he said in a speech at his political party’s national congress on May 23.
“But believe me, looking at MACC over the past decades, this is the first time they’ve been brave enough to investigate all the big ‘taukehs’,” he said, referring to billionaire tycoons and politically influential individuals.
The Prime Minister said that while he could replace Mr Azam, he was not confident anyone else would dare to upset those holding wealth and power.
Under Mr Azam, the MACC opened investigations into at least three of Mr Anwar’s adversaries and their families, including former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. BLOOMBERG
