PETALING JAYA: Decisions on future contract extensions will be made based on performance, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said on Tan Sri Azam Baki’s future.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) was responding to a question by Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (PH-Pandan) on whether the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner will be given a fourth term, given that criticisms regarding the extension of the service contract have also come from the Deputy President of the Prime Minister’s own party.
"For the information of the Yang Berhormat, in line with Standing Order 23(1)(h) of the Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders, questions regarding future plans or proposals that are speculative in nature are not appropriate to be answered specifically as they involve matters that 'have not yet become an issue' or are merely 'hypothetical',” she said in a parliamentary written reply dated Dec 1.
"Any decision regarding a future contract extension will be made based on performance evaluation, the needs of the agency, and considerations deemed appropriate at the relevant time," she added.
Azalina said the government is committed to ensuring that the MACC operates effectively and will make decisions based on the interests of the nation and the people when the time comes.
Rafizi was referring to the remarks of PKR Deputy President Nurul Izzah Anwar who had expressed her disapproval over the extension of Azam's tenure in May.
Azam’s contract was extended for the third time in May. He was made MACC chief commissioner on March 9, 2020.
