Azam, 62, to stay put in MACC as Anwar set to give extension yet again, says report

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is expected to extend yet again Azam Baki's tenure as head of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), despite facing allegations of selectively targetting opposition politicians since the change of government in 2022.

Citing sources familiar with the matter, financial news Bloomberg reported that Azam will receive a six-month extension at the end of his current term in May.

Since coming to power, Anwar has twice extended Azam's tenure as head of MACC, although he had previously attacked the anti-graft chief over allegations of owning millions of listed shares.

Under Azam, who was due to retire in 2023 at the age of 60, MACC has launched numerous investigations into opposition politicians, including former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, veteran statesman Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the late Daim Zainuddin.

Critics have questioned the absence of action involving several high-profile allegations linked to ruling politicians, including the controversy surrounding the purchase of shares by Anwar's former aide Farhash Wafa Salvador and the awarding of the Pakatan Harapan Selangor government's transport initiative to a company owned by the husband of DAP leader Hannah Yeoh.

Allegations of selective prosecution under Azam attracted attention when Bloomberg quoted sources in September last year as saying that Anwar had instructed him not to investigate Farhash over the purchase of shares in Heitech Padu.

The report also claimed that Azam had told MACC officials that investigations against Mahathir, his three sons and Daim had been launched on Anwar's instructions.

Bloomberg had also quoted sources as saying that Anwar and Azam had reached an understanding that Azam's tenure as MACC chief would be extended in return for taking action against the prime minister's opponents.

Both MACC and the Prime Minister's Office have denied the claims.