COMMENT | On April 3, a news outlet reported that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim plans to grant another extension to MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s tenure for six months once his tenure ends in May this year.

If true, this would follow two prior one-year extensions despite Azam having passed the mandatory retirement age of 60.

The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) wishes to reiterate once more the criticism levied in the wake of the first two extensions in its media statements dated May 17, 2023, and May 14, 2024, and in particular urges the government to take this opportunity to implement critical reforms to the MACC.

The appointment process of the MACC chief commissioner has long been a subject of criticism.

Given that Article 40 of the Federal Constitution renders the advice of the cabinet binding upon the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for most of his functions under law, the discretion to appoint and remove the chief commissioner under the MACC Act 2009 is effectively held by the prime minister as the leader of the cabinet.

This obviously creates...