4 names in the running to replace Azam at MACC?

At least four candidates are being touted for the top position at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), as its current chief commissioner, Azam Baki, is set to be replaced when his contract expires next month.

MalaysiaNow understands that two of the candidates currently serve as deputies to Azam: Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya (Operations) and Azmi Kamaruzaman (Prevention).

Meanwhile, two other prominent figures are being actively promoted for the post: deputy inspector-general of police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, and Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, who served as MACC's prosecution director before being abruptly transferred to the Attorney General's Chambers last month.

The search for a new chief commissioner comes as MACC faces a credibility crisis following multiple revelations involving Azam with growing calls to remove him from the post which he has held with strong backing from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

It is not the first time the anti-graft body has faced calls to replace its chief. At the height of the 1MDB scandal, MACC was the object of public ridicule over the manner in which it absolved then prime minister Najib Razak of any wrongdoing.

Following the change of government in 2018, MACC briefly restored its reputation with the appointment of Shukri Abdull, who was praised for his role in unravelling the 1MDB scandal, which forced him to flee the country following threats.

Shukri was replaced a year later by lawyer Latheefa Koya, who resigned nine months later following the fall of Dr Mahathir Mohamad's government.

Azam, then deputy chief commissioner, was a natural choice to be promoted as MACC's chief.

However, just two years into the role, he became embroiled in controversy over millions of shares purchased under his name. The revelation led then opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and his Pakatan Harapan coalition to launch a campaign for his removal.

In a stunning reversal since becoming prime minister, Anwar has emerged as Azam's strongest defender amid a series of revelations by financial news outlet Bloomberg.

These include Bloomberg's report citing MACC sources as saying that Anwar instructed Azam to pursue his two political enemies, former leader Dr Mahathir Mohamad and former finance minister Daim Zainuddin. The report also claimed that Anwar instructed Azam to spare his former aide turned multi-millionaire businessman, Farhash Wafa Salvador, over a controversial purchase of shares.

In February, Bloomberg published two explosive reports concerning Azam’s unusual wealth and claims of ties with rogue individuals.

On Feb 9, it reported 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.

This was followed by another Bloomberg report on Feb 12, linking Azam to a group known as the "corporate mafia", which it said worked in cahoots with MACC to prey on businessmen and forcibly seize ownership of public-listed companies.

The revelations renewed calls to sack Azam.

Anwar, who has extended Azam's tenure three times, has dismissed such calls.

"The man does his work, why do you want to fire him? Read his explanation. It is a disease. Why do you condemn people who do work? Wrong," Anwar famously replied to reporters.