Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Replaced Amid Allegations Before Term Ends

### Central Message

(Central News Agency, Kuala Lumpur, April 25,綜合外電報導) Malaysia today appointed former High Court Judge Abdul Halim Aman as the new head of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, replacing the outgoing Azam Baki, who was embroiled in allegations of abuse of power and illegal stockholding.

According to AFP, the government led by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is facing increasing scrutiny regarding its commitment to combating corruption within the country.

Azam Baki had served as the chief of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) since 2020, but faced several allegations during his tenure, including improper ownership of shares in a listed company.

The Malaysian government had ordered an investigation into the allegations against Azam Baki, but no results have been announced to date. Azam Baki and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission have denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is a federal agency established in 2009, responsible for investigating and prosecuting corruption cases in both the public and private sectors. It has the power to summon individuals, conduct searches, seize assets, and arrest suspects.

Malaysia continues to be haunted by the shadow of the major 1MDB corruption scandal from over a decade ago. At that time, several top Malaysian officials misappropriated state funds, squandering them on luxury assets.

This scandal rocked Malaysian politics and led to the downfall of the long-ruling coalition in 2018, which had governed since Malaysia's independence in 1957. (Translated by Kao Chao-fen/Proofread by Chang Cheng-chien) 1150425