Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission digs in heels as opposition slams ‘inaction’ over Azam Baki’s share-trading saga

Deputies at country’s top graft-buster have backed their boss, saying whistle-blower’s claims that he engaged in improper share trading are politically motivated

The opposition Pakatan Harapan has accused the officers of prejudicing the probe and PM Ismail Sabri of inaction. Satirists, meanwhile, are having a field day

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Malaysia’s anti-graft chief Azam Baki in an advert by the MACC. Photo: Facebook

Published: 9:30pm, 10 Jan 2022

Senior Malaysian opposition figures have criticised the leadership of the country’s anti-corruption commission, after top deputies in the agency offered a full-throated backing of their boss over allegations that he engaged in improper share trading.

In a statement on Sunday, the deputy commissioners of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said the allegations against the agency’s chief, Azam Baki, made public by a whistle-blower, were aimed at maligning the veteran graft-buster.

Top leaders of the opposition Pakatan Harapan alliance immediately criticised the three senior officers for prejudicing the ongoing probe into the matter, and some members of the bloc on Monday staged a brief protest in the administrative capital Putrajaya.

The saga has dominated national headlines for days, with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob also coming under fire for staying silent on the matter.

The country’s Securities Commission meanwhile said it was looking into the allegations, which centre around claims that Azam had bought millions of shares in two public companies between 2015 and 2016, contravening rules on such shareholding by civil servants.

He has said his brother had used his trading account to purchase the shares.