MCA Youth supports the joint statement signed by more than 50 civil society organisations and individuals calling on the Prime Minister, Dato' Serk Anwar Ibrahim, to immediately establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry or another equally independent investigative body to thoroughly probe the allegations confronting the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and its Chief Commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki, in relation to the shareholding controversy and other related disputes. We further propose that the inquiry be led by former Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat to ensure credibility and independence.

We call on the government to honour its pledges for institutional reform  by expediting comprehensive reforms to the MACC framework, ensuring that the anti-corruption body is genuinely independent, transparent, and accountable to Parliament.

The appointment of the MACC Chief Commissioner should no longer rest solely with the Prime Minister. Instead, it should be made by Parliament, with the office required to report directly to Parliament. Only through such measures can we establish a true system of checks and balances and prevent political interference from undermining the independence of the anti-corruption institution.

Only an inquiry led by a figure with unquestionable integrity, judicial experience, and independence can restore public confidence in the investigative process and prevent it from being perceived as political protectionism or an internal whitewash.

It is time for the government to formulate a comprehensive reform plan for the MACC through a Parliamentary Select Committee. This should include: ensuring that the appointment process of the MACC Chief Commissioner is independent of executive power; requiring parliamentary scrutiny and approval of appointments; establishing a structured oversight mechanism to guarantee transparency in the exercise of MACC’s powers and its accountability to Parliament; and strengthening external audit and public accountability mechanisms to prevent abuse of power.

If the Prime Minister and the Unity Government are truly committed to combating corruption, they must confront and rectify the serious structural deficiencies within the MACC. At present, the Prime Minister holds decisive influence over the appointment of the MACC Chief Commissioner. This clearly constitutes a political appointment lacking specific oversight mechanisms. Therefore, the MACC must be accountable to Parliament, not merely to the executive branch.

The MACC possesses investigative and enforcement powers and is tasked with overseeing other public authorities. Yet institutionally, it lacks a robust and independent external oversight framework. When the highest leadership of the anti-corruption body itself becomes embroiled in integrity concerns, this is no trivial matter — it strikes at the very foundation of the nation’s anti-corruption system.

We caution that if the integrity of the anti-corruption agency’s leadership is called into question, public trust in the entire judicial and governance system will be severely undermined.

In response to reports by Bloomberg alleging collusion between senior MACC officials and business figures to pressure competitors and orchestrate corporate acquisitions, we stress that these allegations pose a grave challenge to the credibility of both the MACC Chief Commissioner and the institution itself. Should the government fail to promptly dispel public doubts, the MACC’s credibility will collapse entirely, and the public will lose faith in the nation’s anti-corruption body.

MCA Youth once again urges the Prime Minister to suspend the MACC Chief Commissioner, who is embroiled in integrity controversies, pending investigation.

How can an investigation be truly independent, transparent, and fair when the person concerned remains in office and continues to wield power? If even the credibility of the anti-corruption agency is questioned, the authority of the nation’s anti-corruption framework will be gravely weakened. Ultimately, it is national governance, investor confidence, and the people’s trust in the government that will suffer.

Saw Yee Fung
MCA Youth Secretary General

21 February 2026

-MCA Comm-