Azam Baki Denies Holding Shares, Says Trading Account Now Empty

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki has clarified that he no longer holds any shares in any company.

Azam said all previous share transactions were conducted transparently and in full compliance with government regulations, adding that his trading account is now empty and can be verified with Bursa Malaysia.

Addressing the controversy, he revealed that he purchased shares in Velocity Capital Bhd in early 2025 and disposed of the entire holding in July 2025 without making any profit.

“The transactions were declared shortly after through the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS),” he told a press conference here today.

He stressed that the declaration documentation made via HRMIS could be retrieved at any time by authorised officers.

As a contract officer whose term was renewed in May 2025, Azam said he remained diligent in fulfilling reporting requirements to avoid breaching administrative circulars.

He also said that trading shares is not illegal for government officers, provided there is no conflict of interest and a proper declaration is made.

Regulations also stipulate that officers cannot own more than five per cent of a company’s paid-up capital, which he said did not apply in his case as the shares were purchased on the open market.

Azam dismissed allegations that he still held shares in other companies, including claims involving Awanbiru Technology, reiterating that he currently holds zero shares.

He said all transactions were funded through his personal savings, pension and retirement gratuity, and not through loans or external sources.

He added that asset declarations by senior civil servants are governed by internal administrative procedures and are not required to be made public.

Regarding an article published by Bloomberg, Azam said he has instructed his lawyer to issue a Letter of Demand to the publication, either to its Malaysia office or United States headquarters, and is prepared to pursue legal action.

He described the report as misleading and defamatory, particularly on the timeline of his share ownership and asset declarations, and rejected claims that his office had failed to respond to queries.

Azam said his office replied in January, contrary to the report’s assertion of no response.

He said the report had damaged both his personal reputation and that of the commission, stressing that the issue was administrative rather than criminal.

He is seeking damages instead of criminal action and warned that he would apply for an injunction if the allegations continue.

“If anybody starts talking again about it, I will apply to court for an injunction,” he said.

Azam reiterated that he had complied with all asset declaration requirements under government procedures, maintaining that the controversy arose from misinterpretation rather than any breach of rules.

-- BERNAMA