A sea of black-clad demonstrators descended upon the heart of Kuala Lumpur this weekend, demanding the immediate resignation of Azam Baki, the Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). The protest marks a significant escalation in a long-running controversy surrounding Baki’s corporate shareholdings, a scandal that has become a lightning rod for public frustration regarding institutional integrity.
Institutional Rot and Public Outcry
Organised by the electoral and institutional reform coalition Bersih, the rally saw participants express deep dissatisfaction with what they perceive as a “soft” government response to the allegations. For the protesters, the black attire symbolised the “deep rot” within state institutions and a perceived betrayal of the reformist promises made by the current administration.
A prominent figure at the rally was former Finance Minister Rafizi Ramli, who delivered a stinging rebuke to the leadership. Addressing the Prime Minister’s administration, he remarked, “You claim we only complain and criticise. But it was this very 22-year struggle against power and corruption that propelled you to the premiership.”
The Core of the Controversy
The scrutiny intensified following an international media report by Bloomberg, which alleged that Azam Baki held equity interests in 2025 that far exceeded the legal threshold permitted for civil servants. Under Malaysian regulations, public officials are subject to strict limits on share ownership to prevent conflicts of interest.
| Regulatory Category | Maximum Permissible Limit |
| Monetary Value | 100,000 Ringgit (at time of purchase) |
| Equity Share | 5% of a company’s paid-up capital |
| Compliance Rule | The lesser of the two aforementioned limits |
Critics, including several Members of Parliament, argue that these allegations have left an indelible stain on the MACC’s reputation. They contend that the very individual tasked with spearheading the nation’s fight against graft cannot remain in office while his own financial conduct is under a cloud of suspicion.
A Pattern of Defiance
Azam Baki has consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that he has breached no laws. In a move that has further incensed his detractors, he has filed defamation suits against critics and refused to take a leave of absence while a special task force investigates the claims.
This is not the first time Baki has faced such pressure. Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the MP for Setiawangsa and a former cabinet member, noted that a similar protest occurred in 2022. Ironically, that rally was attended by the current Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, who was then in the opposition. The resurgence of these protests highlights a growing perception that the “reformist” government has failed to act decisively on the very issues that brought it to power.