PM has own reasons for retaining Azam Baki as MACC chief, says Fahmi

Tan Sri Azam Baki.-filepic

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had his own reasons for retaining Tan Sri Azam Baki as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner, says Fahmi Fadzil.

The government spokesman stated that while various groups have the right to express their opinions on the government’s decision, the Prime Minister has his own reasons.

Fahmi, who is the Communications Minister, was responding to criticism from the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) over Azam’s reappointment, which claimed that it demonstrated the Madani government's continuous lack of progress on institutional reforms.

The corruption watchdog echoed its earlier disapproval, which it had expressed when Azam's contract was extended last year.

“The core issue here extends beyond just Azam. The capacity of institutions to fight corruption and maintain good governance remains compromised without the adequate decentralisation of powers that have been centralised under the prime minister,” it stated.

C4 has also advocated for creating a parliamentary select committee on anti-corruption to select commissioners and ensure the MACC's autonomy and integrity.

“As long as the process of appointment is left unchanged, the government will continue to face a decline in credibility and public trust,” it added.

Azam's MACC chief commissioner tenure was prolonged for another year last Friday (May 10).