Tan Sri Azam Baki retired as chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on May 12, 2026, concluding a 42-year career in public service, including six years leading MACC since March 2020 [1, 2, 3, 4]. Under his leadership, MACC emphasized intelligence-based investigations, technology adoption, and action against grand corruption, recovering around RM15.5 billion in national assets from 2021 to early 2026, much linked to 1MDB funds [1].
Azam established the Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad (ACTS) in October 2023 to boost enforcement efforts [1]. He began his career as an anti-corruption officer in 1985 before rising through key MACC roles to chief commissioner [1, 2]. Azam urged MACC staff to support the new leadership and warned against acts of sabotage, saying, "If (MACC) officers do not cooperate, (it) means that they are sabotaging the organisation itself...we must all obey the leader even if the leader is not of our choosing" [2]. He expressed confidence in the agency's future, noting the "capable and committed line-up of officers" [1]. Azam stated, "If we want to stay safe, we should do nothing. If we do nothing, the people will ask what we are doing with taxpayers’ money" [3].
Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Aman, 69, a former High Court judge, was appointed Azam’s successor on a two-year contract starting May 13, after receiving royal consent and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recommendation [5, 6]. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo tasked Abdul Halim with leading a "thorough and transparent probe" into ongoing allegations involving a "corporate mafia" linked to forced share takeovers that have undermined market confidence [7]. The recent graft probe into Tan Sri Krishnan Tan, non-executive chairman of IJM Corporation, was closed with no further action, despite previous scrutiny over Sunway’s RM11 billion failed takeover bid. Krishnan welcomed the outcome, saying the investigation caused "severe reputational damage" and personal strain [8, 9].
Azam’s tenure faced controversies including term extensions beyond retirement age and unresolved allegations of misconduct over his share ownership, which fueled public mistrust and concerns over political interference. The government dismissed such claims as a Zionist conspiracy intended to undermine MACC [10, 11, 12]. Azam acknowledged challenges faced by enforcement officers during a May 10 screening of the film "Konspirasi" which depicted such issues [10, 11, 12]. He indicated he plans to continue serving the public and supporting good governance after retirement [2, 4].
Abdul Halim Aman officially took office as MACC chief commissioner on May 13, 2026, with a mandate to restore confidence and lead ongoing investigations into corruption allegations affecting Malaysia’s markets [5, 6].
