'Anwar liar!' reverberates in KL as thousands demand arrest of MACC boss over shares and mafia twin scandal

Thousands of protesters gathered in Kuala Lumpur today to call for the arrest of Azam Baki, as pressure mounts for the removal of the chief of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), whose tenure was repeatedly extended by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

It comes at the end of a week that has shaken Anwar's government following two explosive revelations from Bloomberg concerning Azam’s unusual wealth and shocking details of his ties with rogue individuals who employ threats and blackmail to seize ownership of public listed companies.

Notices and posters of the protest have been widely circulated on social media as criticism mounts from across political divides over Anwar’s handling of what is the biggest crisis of confidence faced by MACC since the 1MDB scandal about a decade ago.

The protest has drawn support from individuals and organisations across the political spectrum, including ruling MPs Rafizi Ramli, Zahir Hassan, Wong Chen and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who are among a growing number of Pakatan Harapan MPs openly criticising Anwar for his defence of Azam in the face of public outrage.

Speakers, mostly student activists, led the protesters with chants of "Arrest Azam" and "Anwar liar", as the crowd held banners mocking both the anti-graft chief and the prime minister, in scenes reminiscent of protests four years ago when Azam was embroiled in a similar revelation that he breached share ownership rules for public officials.

In his speech, Rafizi said the people have no choice but to take to the streets to demand Azam’s removal as the government continues to defend him.

“If the Pakatan Harapan government and Anwar Ibrahim defend Azam Baki, we can no longer defend that stance. Where are we going to hide our faces?” said Rafizi.

In his strongest attack yet against his party boss, the former economy minister also rebuked Anwar for recently labelling government critics as “whiners”.

“We have learned that it is because Anwar whined to the people for more than 20 years that he was able to become prime minister. So we are aware of the power of whining. If you still protect Azam Baki, this is not just out of love for Azam Baki, but because it is connected to Anwar Ibrahim.”

'Anwar thinks twice with DAP'

Rafizi then turned his criticism to DAP, saying the party should speak up now instead of waiting until June, the end of a six-month reform ultimatum to Anwar it issued late last year.

“What Anwar is most worried about is DAP. He does not care about Amanah or PKR, but if DAP speaks out, he would think twice,” he added.

Wong Chen meanwhile hit out at Anwar over the composition of a special investigation team to probe Azam, and repeated calls for former chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat to lead such a panel.

“I used to give him (Anwar) a lot of advice, but in the past two years he has not been advised,” said Wong Chen. “I am embarrassed. You picked three people, all of them civil servants.”

Other speakers also focused on Anwar’s strong defence of Azam, whom the prime minister has praised as “hardworking” and “courageous” in the fight against corruption.

“It does not make sense. Until when will PM Anwar Ibrahim treat us Malaysians like fools who know nothing?” said Muda acting president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz.

“The young people of Malaysia will not remain silent, will not turn a blind eye, and will not stop demanding that Azam Baki be arrested.”

Protesters later staged a mock arrest of Azam before marching with songs and drumbeats to Dataran Merdeka, where more speakers took turns addressing participants.

On Feb 12, financial news outlet Bloomberg published an explosive investigative story on Azam, interviewing witnesses and victims of rogue businessmen known as "corporate mafia" working in cahoots with MACC officers to forcefully take over ownership of public-listed companies.

The report followed an  earlier revelation that Azam held millions of shares worth approximately RM800,000 in a listed company, in violation of a government circular prohibiting public servants from such holdings.

The government has since announced a special committee, led by top civil servant Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, to investigate the allegations – a move that has only sparked further criticism of Anwar's handling of the issue.