Tan Sri Azam Baki, former chief commissioner of Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), was appointed as an adviser to the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre (NFCC) advisory board in September 2024 for a three-year term ending in 2027 [1, 2, 3]. His appointment was made with the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, King Sultan Ibrahim, and is held in his personal capacity, independent of his former MACC role [1, 2, 3, 4]. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed the appointment can only be revoked by the King and is unrelated to Azam’s previous position as MACC chief commissioner [4, 5, 6].
Azam’s term on the NFCC advisory board is set to expire in September 2027 and remains valid after he retired in May 2026 when his MACC contract was not renewed [1, 3, 7]. He attended an NFCC advisory board meeting on June 30, 2026, which was lawful given his current advisory status [8, 1, 3].
The appointment has drawn criticism from opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who questioned the government over Azam’s role amid ongoing controversies and investigations. Hamzah said, “What is the justification for appointing Azam as an adviser to the NFCC when he is facing issues that are under investigation?” [8, 9]. He urged the government to clarify why Azam, who has been linked to allegations under investigation, continues to serve on the advisory board [8, 9].
The controversies include allegations that Azam held millions of shares in a financial services company as reported by Bloomberg in February 2026, and accusations of MACC involvement in a “corporate mafia” scandal related to hostile takeovers [8, 9, 3]. Azam has denied all allegations and has not been implicated in ongoing investigations [8]. The Home Minister announced that investigations into the so-called corporate mafia within enforcement agencies are progressing, citing 58 witness statements reviewed with no MACC officers implicated so far [8].
Civil society groups and some members of parliament have called on the government to release detailed findings from investigations concerning Azam’s conduct [8]. Additionally, Hamzah has requested transparency regarding reductions in fuel subsidy quotas, seeking detailed vehicle registration data from the Road Transport Department for public scrutiny [8, 9].
Azam’s advisory board appointment remains in place as of today, August 9, 2026, with no public indication that the King will revoke it before its scheduled end in September 2027 [1, 3, 7].
