Royal commission needed to probe Bloomberg’s allegations against MACC

Aliran is encouraged to note that the government has finally grasped the gravity of the allegations that have surfaced against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s chief commissioner and some of its officers.

These unsettling allegations have increasingly become a matter of public concern.

However, given the magnitude of the allegations that have emerged from recent Bloomberg reporting, we call for the establishment of a royal commission of inquiry rather than a task force.

While the questionable acquisition of shares by MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki warrants investigation, Bloomberg has made a far more serious allegation. This concerns the alleged use of MACC officers by a certain group of business people to intimidate senior officials of targeted companies with the ultimate objective of taking over these companies at suppressed valuations.

This allegation, if true, represents an existential threat to our capital markets and our credibility as an investment destination. Such alleged machinations would severely compromise the independence and integrity of the commission, whose fundamental purpose is the combating of corruption.

More critically, these allegations point to the potential capture of state institutions by a certain group. If true, this would strike at the very foundation of our regulatory framework and economic governance.

The implications extend far beyond individual misconduct. These allegations, if substantiated, would shatter our regulatory credibility and our ability to demonstrate predictable and rational economic investment behaviour in the eyes of international markets.

They could undermine domestic and international investor confidence at a time when Malaysia seeks to strengthen its position as a competitive investment destination.

To ensure that investigations can be carried out effectively without any internal interference or hindrance, we call for Azam and all other implicated MACC officers (if any) to be relieved of their duties and placed on garden leave until investigations are completed.

The government’s plan to set up a task force that would submit a report to the cabinet is simply not enough. This would be widely perceived as merely an internal probe that lacks the credibility and public trust necessary to address allegations of this magnitude.

Only a royal commission of inquiry, with full investigative powers, independent membership and public transparency, can adequately examine these serious allegations and restore confidence in our institutions. This royal commission must comprise individuals who are independent of and not members of the current administration. Its report should be made available in the public domain for maximum transparency.

We therefore urge the government to demonstrate its commitment to accountability and institutional integrity by establishing a royal commission immediately

Beyond this immediate crisis, we call for key structural reforms to safeguard the MACC’s independence and integrity.

First, the MACC must be removed from the Prime Minister’s Department and placed under parliamentary oversight. This would eliminate potential conflicts of interest and ensure the commission operates free from executive interference.

Second, the appointment of the MACC chief commissioner must be subject to vetting and approval by a bipartisan parliamentary select committee. This would ensure transparency, accountability and broad-based confidence in the leadership of this critical institution.

These structural reforms are essential to prevent future compromises of the MACC’s integrity and to restore public trust in Malaysia’s anti-corruption framework.

Aliran executive committee
14 February 2026

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