Start with pushing MACC reforms, Bersih chair urges Nurul Izzah

Summary

• Bersih chairperson Faisal Abdul Aziz calls on newly elected PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar to fulfil her pledge by pushing for MACC reforms.

• Nurul Izzah previously criticised Azam Baki’s reappointment, while Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim defended Azam’s record, citing his boldness in tackling high-level corruption cases.

Having clinched the PKR deputy presidency, Bersih chairperson Faisal Abdul Aziz said the ball is now in Nurul Izzah Anwar’s court to push for MACC reforms.

He said this following Nurul Izzah’s victory at yesterday’s party election, and her promise on May 15 that she would raise the issue about MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s reappointment if she wins the election.

“Now, the responsibility lies at her feet to fulfil these commitments,” Faisal said, “To ensure that the torch of reform remains lit and can push for its implementation.

“Thus, the reform agenda she should begin with is reforming the MACC,” he said on his personal account on X today.

He noted that the present MACC structure had already been tested and failed when confronted with the 1MDB scandal.

“Yet, no effort has been made to bring structural reform to the body, raising concerns that scandals like 1MDB could happen again.

“As someone who has been actively involved in engagements with NGOs, I am confident she is open to the demands brought forward by NGOs,” Faisal added.

Controversial contract extension

Azam had his tenure extended for the third time, effective May 13, for a period of one year.

Azam has been a controversial MACC chief. Among the current criticisms against him is the perception that the graft-busting agency dragged its feet in investigating the Sabah corruption scandal, in which multiple assemblypersons and state government leaders were implicated.

Nurul Izzah had described the development as “unwelcome” and that the party needs to stand for reforms.

She said that, if elected, she would confront her father - Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim – on the issue within the party’s scope.

Commenting on this separately at a rally at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur tonight, Faisal said she must make good on this promise.

“Her guarantee was made to the public and the mandate was given by PKR members themselves.

“She must carry out this responsibility,” he said at a protest against Azam.

Anwar had defended reappointing Azam during his opening speech at the PKR national congress last night.

He said Azam had shown “extraordinary courage” in tackling high-level corruption by pursuing cases involving prominent businesspeople, which he had not seen in Azam’s predecessors.

He also slammed MACC’s critics for failing to show support for the graftbusters when they went after the elite.

He said that while he could appoint a new chief commissioner, he is not confident that the successor would dare confront billionaires.

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