Malaysia - May 2026

Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki stepped down in May after months of pressure surrounding allegations that he had abused his office to assist private businessmen in efforts to take control of listed companies. Under Baki’s leadership, MACC allegedly pursued investigations against company founders, including arrests and freezing of accounts, in order to pressure them to relinquish control of targeted companies. The allegations were surfaced in a February 2026 Bloomberg News investigation. Separate reports revealed Azam had violated civil service regulations by failing to declare shares in publicly listed companies worth hundreds of thousands of US dollars. The Prime Minister’s office defended Azam and conducted only an internal inquiry, and no criminal charges were filed. Civil society organizations and opposition figures argued that the affair exposed weaknesses in oversight and accountability within Malaysia’s principal anti-corruption institution.  

Sources: Bloomberg News , Straits Times (1), Straits Times (2), Straits Times (3)