Malaysia considers high-powered commission to probe anti-corruption agency allegations

Malaysia’s government said on Friday it would consider calls for a royal commission to investigate alleged abuses of power within the country’s anti-corruption agency, as pressure grew for the immediate removal of its chief commissioner.Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has faced growing pressure from critics and allies alike since news reports earlier this month alleged that Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki had bought corporate shares exceeding the limit permitted for civil servants.In a separate report, Bloomberg alleged that senior MACC officials were aware of, or linked to, businessmen described as a “corporate mafia” who were said to have colluded with anti-corruption officers to pressure corporate rivals into deals or share sales.Government spokesman Fahmi Fazil said the cabinet would discuss further steps when it meets again next week, after studying the findings of a special taskforce led by the attorney general set up to investigate the allegations over Azam’s shareholdings.Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Azam Baki at a press conference in August 2025. Photo: Hadi Azmi“The cabinet was informed that the investigation team … is almost done with its probe and will present its report [to cabinet] next week,” Fahmi told a news conference on Friday.