PUTRAJAYA: Outgoing Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki aims to continue his public service by speaking on matters of governance and anti-corruption after retirement.
Azam, whose tenure will end on Tuesday (May 12), said he has no intention of quietly disappearing from public life.
"I will continue sharing my experience and views for the benefit of society and the commission. If the time comes for me to speak, I will give constructive views," he said during the MACC's "Kolar Hitam" podcast on Monday.
He said retirement did not mean a person should stop contributing to the nation.
"I always say that men will continue working until the day they are carried into the mosque," he said.
He also ruled out joining politics or venturing into business after retirement.
"My focus is to remain active in sports to maintain my health," he added.
Reflecting on his years leading MACC, Azam said the commission must continue pursuing a "bold and radical" anti-corruption agenda over the next five years, particularly against systemic corruption involving procurement leakages and abuse of power.
Azam also defended the commission against criticism and public demonstrations by groups unhappy with ongoing investigations.
“Most of those criticising the MACC are people with their own problems, including those being investigated or already charged in court,” he said.
He said enforcement agencies should not be condemned for taking action, adding that blame should instead be directed at authorities who fail to act against criminal activities.
Azam acknowledged that the MACC had its share of challenges to its reputation over the years, including criticism over its handling of past controversies such as the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock in 2009.
He said the incident became a turning point that pushed the commission towards major institutional reforms and transformation efforts that continue today.
“Transformation is a living process. Every leader must continue improving the agency because what worked two years ago may no longer be relevant today,” he said.
Azam said one of his priorities during his tenure was strengthening the MACC’s communication strategy to improve public confidence and transparency.
He noted that the commission was once labelled a “silent movie” agency due to poor public communication, but said the establishment of a crisis management team and stronger corporate communications had improved public engagement over the past three years.
On the agency’s standing internationally, Azam said Malaysia’s anti-graft commission is now respected globally and has established cooperation with countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.
He also pointed out that the MACC regularly trains officers from neighbouring countries, including Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.
“We may not claim to be the best in the world, but we are among the agencies respected internationally,” he said.
Azam said political will was crucial in allowing the MACC to operate effectively and independently.
“If there is no political will, we cannot perform our duties effectively,” he added.
