PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has rejected claims by electoral reform group Bersih that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is being used as a political tool by the government, saying it is unfair to make accusations before reviewing official investigation reports.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Anwar said critics should examine the relevant findings before issuing statements about the conduct of the anti-graft agency.
“That is Bersih’s view, but it is not fair for Bersih to make a statement that is not clean. If you want to make accusations, look at the report first before giving a response,” he said.
Bersih had earlier criticised the direction of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, alleging that the agency had strayed from its mandate of combating corruption and had become a political instrument of the government.
The criticism followed reports that the commission was attempting to locate a former aide to an ex-minister, identified as James Chai.
Anwar said criticism of public officials, including MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, was legitimate but must be applied consistently.
“I am not defending anyone. Everyone wants things to be clean, what is that? But the tens of billions that were stolen all this time — why was there no voice?” he said.
“You can criticise anyone, including Azam Baki, but be consistent. What has been stolen in this country has reached tens of billions that have already been exposed.”
Separately, Anwar confirmed that he had yet to receive a report from a special committee investigating allegations related to Azam’s share ownership.
The committee, chaired by Attorney-General Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, was established to examine claims and related issues involving the MACC chief.
“That is what I am waiting for. They said today, but I have not received it yet,” Anwar said after attending the Ihya Ramadan programme organised by the Public Service Department of Malaysia.
Also present at the event were Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Public Service director-general Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.
Anwar said any decision regarding the matter would only be made once the report had been submitted.
The government previously set up the special committee following a report by Bloomberg alleging that Azam held millions of shares in a financial services company based on corporate filings.
Azam has since maintained that his shareholding, valued at about RM800,000 in a financial services firm, was acquired transparently and in accordance with established procedures. – March 6, 2026
