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Malaysians protest anti-corruption chief over stock holdings, abuse of power

Malaysians protest anti-corruption chief over stock holdings, abuse of power

Thairath•International•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Thousands of Malaysians donned black to protest against the head of the MACC, Azam Baki, citing allegations of excessive stock ownership and misuse of power, while Baki maintains his innocence.

  • •Thousands of Malaysians protested in Kuala Lumpur, wearing black attire.
  • •The protest calls for the arrest of Azam Baki, the Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
  • •Allegations against Azam Baki include improper stock ownership and abuse of power.

Overview

  • •On February 15, hundreds of Malaysian protesters gathered in Kuala Lumpur, wearing black. This is the largest street demonstration since October of the previous year.
  • •The protest was prompted by allegations of improper stock ownership and abuse of power by Azam Baki, Chief Commissioner of the MACC.
  • •Protesters gathered in the city center, waving black flags and holding signs, causing temporary closure of main roads.
  • •Opposition politician Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz stated, "We have gathered because the dignity of the law and the nation is being mocked."
  • •New Straits Times reported approximately 1,000 participants, including members of the ruling government's PKR party.
  • •Bloomberg reported Azam Baki owning 17.7 million shares in Velocity Capital Partner worth nearly 800,000 ringgit, a figure exceeding regulatory limits for civil servants.
  • •Regulations from 1993 and 2024 stipulate that civil servants' stock purchases must not exceed 5% of registered capital or 100,000 ringgit, whichever is lower.
  • •Azam Baki affirmed he would not resign, stating he has not been charged with any criminal offense and will cooperate with special investigation committees and the police.

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Key Quotes

Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz
"We have gathered because the dignity of the law and the nation is being mocked. Malaysian youth and citizens will no longer sit idly by. We will demand the arrest of Azam Baki until successful."
เรามารวมตัวกันเพราะศักดิ์ศรีของกฎหมายและประเทศชาติกำลังถูกล้อเล่น เยาวชนและพลเมืองมาเลเซียจะไม่นั่งเงียบหลับตาอีกต่อไป เราจะเรียกร้องให้จับกุมอาซัม บากี จนกว่าจะสำเร็จ
Azam Baki
"I do not need to take leave. If I have to take leave, I want to ask how many others have been sued but are still performing duties? Even some former finance ministers were in office during investigations. What is the problem? Have I committed a crime?"
ผมไม่จำเป็นต้องลาพักงาน ถ้าผมต้องลา ผมอยากถามว่ามีอีกกี่คนที่ถูกฟ้องศาลไปแล้วแต่ยังปฏิบัติหน้าที่อยู่? แม้แต่อดีตรัฐมนตรีคลังบางคนยังอยู่ในตำแหน่งตอนถูกสืบสวนเลย แล้วปัญหาคืออะไร ผมทำผิดอาญาแล้วหรือ?

Key Entities

Person

Azam Baki(อาซัม บากี)
Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) facing allegations of improper stock ownership and abuse of power.
Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz(อมิรา ไอสยา อับดุล อาซิซ)
An opposition politician in Malaysia who spoke at the protest.
Rafizi Ramli(นายราฟิซี รัมลี)ℹ️
Former Malaysian Minister of Economy who commented on the necessity of protests.

Organization

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission(คณะกรรมการต่อต้านการคอร์รัปชัน)ℹ️
The Malaysian governmental body responsible for combating corruption, whose chief is currently under protest.
People's Justice Party (PKR)(พรรคยุติธรรมประชาชน (PKR))ℹ️
A political party in Malaysia, with members participating in the protest against the MACC chief.
Velocity Capital Partner
A company in which MACC Chief Azam Baki is alleged to hold a significant number of shares.

Place

Kuala Lumpur(กรุงกัวลาลัมเปอร์)ℹ️
The capital city of Malaysia, where thousands protested against the MACC chief.

Law

1993 Regulations(กฎหมายปี 1993)
Malaysian government regulations concerning stock ownership limits for civil servants.
2024 Additional Orders(คำสั่งเพิ่มเติมปี 2024)
Additional orders from 2024 that supplement the 1993 regulations on civil servant stock ownership.