KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 — Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said he has no qualms about being “attacked” or getting calls to resign by his critics for doing his job in fighting corruption.
In an exclusive interview with New Straits Times, Azam was indifferent in his response to detractors who have been “attacking him relentlessly”.
“I am okay with it. I think there are those who don’t like me, or they want me out of the system.
“You don’t like me, it’s not my problem,” he was quoted as saying.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali announced yesterday the reappointment of Azam as MACC’s top graft buster after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong consented to having Azam’s contract extended for another year.
Azam was first appointed as MACC chief commissioner on March 9, 2020, replacing Latheefa Beebi Koya.
Prior to that, he served as the MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) for four years from 2016, in addition to holding the positions of Director of Intelligence and Director of Investigation Division.
Separately, Azam said there was nothing to stop MACC from conducting checks on bank accounts so long as there is reasonable suspicion for the agency to investigate alleged wrongdoings, including by ministers as well.
“I do not wish to perform random checks, like how the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) will serve taxpayers with a notice to verify their tax filing.
“We will have our hands full with such cases if we do that. So, we use only provisions like Section 36 of the MACC Act in our investigation into corruption cases.
“We will conduct a forensic analysis, compare the person’s income and spending, and this section will compel them to declare their income.
“If the person fails to provide a justifiable explanation, then they could be slapped with charges. I give my word that I will investigate anyone, even a minister, if there is reasonable suspicion,” he said.
