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Malaysia
This Week in AsiaPolitics

Malaysia gets new anti-corruption chief as protests mount against outgoing head

Former High Court judge Abdul Halim Aman takes the reins of MACC from Azam Baki amid scandals

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Protesters against Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) boss Azam Baki march through central Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. SCMP/Iman Muttaqin Yusof
Joseph SipalanandIman Muttaqin Yusof
Malaysia on Saturday appointed a former judge as its new anti-corruption chief in an unprecedented move, as the government seeks to calm months of political turbulence over alleged misconduct linked to the watchdog’s outgoing head.
Allies and opponents have hit out against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim since February following reports claiming that Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) boss Azam Baki was involved in a share ownership scandal and the agency’s officers were allegedly working with a “corporate mafia” to pressure businesses into deals.

Azam and the MACC have denied any wrongdoing, calling the media reports “malicious”.

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The government on Saturday said former High Court judge Abdul Halim Aman will begin his duties as MACC chief commissioner on May 13, a day after Azam’s contract ends.

“The government is confident that with his wide experience and high integrity, he will be able to strengthen efforts to improve [the agency’s] management, raise public confidence and bolster the anti-corruption agenda,” it said in a statement, hours before a protest in Kuala Lumpur demanding Azam’s removal.

Malaysia’s new anti-corruption chief Abdul Halim Aman. Photo: Handout
Malaysia’s new anti-corruption chief Abdul Halim Aman. Photo: Handout

Around 200 protesters marched through central Kuala Lumpur on Saturday despite humid weather, chanting “long live the people”, “rise up, people” and “Azam Baki is a liar” as they moved about 1km from outside Sogo shopping centre towards the road beside Merdeka Square.

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