The controversy surrounding the shareholding issue involving the Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Tan Sri Azam Baki, and the police investigation into Bloomberg is deeply concerning. These developments raise serious questions as to whether public authority is being used to exert pressure on the media and create a climate of fear.

The highly publicised RM100 million defamation claim, coupled with the police invoking multiple criminal provisions, sends a troubling message: when the media reports on the integrity of senior officials, they may face legal risks and even criminal investigation. This creates a chilling effect. It discourages the media from carrying out their duty to scrutinise those in power and undermines their role as the fourth estate in a democratic society.

When confronted with public concerns, those in positions of authority should respond with transparency and clear explanations, not with aggressive legal action. This is especially true of the head of the anti-corruption body, who wields extensive investigative and enforcement powers. Such a position demands the highest standards of integrity and accountability.

The MACC holds significant powers and is entrusted with overseeing other public institutions, yet the system lacks sufficiently strong and independent external oversight. When questions arise over the integrity of its top leadership, the matter cannot be treated lightly. The appropriate step would be to voluntarily submit to an independent investigation in order to establish the facts and restore public confidence - not to allow the perception that power is being used to silence criticism.

Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim should respond as to why the MACC Chief Commissioner was not suspended pending investigation. If the individual concerned remains in office and continues to exercise authority, how can any inquiry be truly independent, transparent and fair? Should the credibility of the anti-graft body be compromised, the authority of the entire national anti-corruption framework will be severely weakened.

It is also worrisome that the government appears inclined to respond to criticism through pressure or investigation, rather than engagement. From probing speech to investigating media reports, this pattern risks narrowing the space for freedom of expression and press freedom.

The priority should be to clarify whether any conflict of interest exists, not to investigate those who reported on the issue. The media are not the enemy; they are an essential component of democratic accountability.

The country needs transparent accountability, not intimidation. It needs independent investigation, not selective enforcement. I call on the government to ensure that any investigation is genuinely independent, fair and transparent, while safeguarding the media’s right to report responsibly. Only through institutional reform and credible oversight can public trust in the MACC and the government be restored.

Saw Yee Fung
MCA Youth Secretary General

14 February 2026

-MCA Comm-