KUALA LUMPUR: With the recent extension of his contract as Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki has pledged to intensify the fight against graft by concentrating on three critical areas of corruption.
Under his renewed mandate, Azam's strategy focuses on bolstering enforcement mechanisms, ensuring transparency and accountability in procurement, and cracking down on large-scale corruption.
Speaking on the latest episode of the New Straits Times' talk show Beyond the Headlines recently, Azam said the three areas were important as they were linked to national security and the economy.
He said the commission, backed by the strong leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibra-him, would focus on the areas, including cases that are high profile and of public interest.
"This will continue this year and the next, especially as we need to help the country generate income and improve the economy.
"Corruption is not only about the economy, but also about social impact.
"For example, corruption in enforcement is a bane as it can enable many things, such as smuggling and other illegal activities.
"My officers work day and night, 24/7, alongside other enforcement officers. They work in tandem with the operational targets."
Azam was appointed to lead the anti-graft body in 2020, replacing Latheefa Koya. His contract, which was set to expire on May 12, was extended by a year.
Asked to comment on calls to place the MACC under Parliament's purview to ensure its independence, Azam said he disagreed with the notion.
He said the MACC is the only agency in Malaysia to be monitored by five independent oversight bodies.
In comparison, he said, Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption was monitored only by four.
"I disagree with that. What's wrong with the current system, especially after the government established the MACC in 2009 with a new structure, new independent committees and others?
"We have five oversight committees. Being the chief commissioner is a sleepless job, having to face all these panel chairmen."
He reiterated a suggestion he made in 2019 on the security of the chief commissioner's tenure, requiring dismissals to be presented to a tribunal.
He said he would repeat this suggestion to the prime minister at the next meeting of the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption.
He said this would ensure that the person holding the position cannot be easily replaced following changes in government.
"The appointment can remain at the pleasure of the king, like the appointment of the chief justice, but the dismissal should be handled by a tribunal, as is the case for the chief justice.
"That, I think, is one way for the government to be more transparent and the agency to be more independent."
He said putting the MACC under Parliament's purview would require the agency to seek approval from the august house before investigating a case.
"How can we be seen as independent if the anti-graft agency has to seek Parliament's approval to investigate, for example, a politician or a member of parliament?"
He said under the MACC Act 2009 and the Criminal Procedure Code, police and the MACC have the freedom to investigate any case or person, regardless of political affiliation.
"The law is there. If you don't like the chief commissioner, you change the person, not the system.
"If the chief commissioner is not effective enough, go to the tribunal.
"I'm very open. If I think that I'm not that effective anymore, I'm not going to wait for any tribunal. I will tender my resignation and give up my position to my successor."