KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 — The Malaysian government has extended the term of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki by another year, a move likely to renew scrutiny of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s commitment to institutional reforms.
According to state news agency Bernama, the reappointment was confirmed through a statement from Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar on Friday. Azam’s new term takes effect on May 13. The MACC has yet to issue an official confirmation.
This marks the third consecutive one-year extension for Azam since he reached the mandatory retirement age of 60. He is now the first MACC chief to serve beyond the official retirement threshold an unprecedented move that has drawn public and political attention.
“First to be extended beyond retirement,” noted one observer on social media, echoing concerns that the decision contradicts Anwar’s repeated pledges to reform public institutions and improve governance.
Previously, Anwar’s government faced backlash over the extensions of Azam’s term, with civil society groups arguing that the MACC chief should be appointed by a bipartisan parliamentary committee rather than by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the prime minister. Critics argue the current process makes the commission too dependent on the executive.
In April, Bloomberg News reported that Anwar planned to extend Azam’s tenure by six months, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter. On Friday, that report was partially validated when a full one-year extension was confirmed.
Azam’s leadership of the MACC has not been without controversy. According to Bloomberg, the agency under his watch launched probes into at least three of Anwar’s political adversaries, including former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and their families. In contrast, he reportedly declined to act on a complaint involving stock trades by an ally of Anwar raising concerns about selective enforcement.
Bloomberg also cited sources who claimed that MACC officials and political insiders believed Azam’s term extension was part of an informal understanding with Anwar: in exchange for taking action against opposition figures, Azam would retain his position.
Both Azam and Anwar have denied any such arrangement. They insist that the MACC remains independent and operates free from political influence.
Still, the timing and circumstances of the reappointment are likely to keep critics on alert as questions about transparency and judicial independence persist.
