Kuala Lumpur – Hundreds of protesters gathered in the Malaysian capital today, February 15, 2026, demanding the resignation of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki. The demonstration, led by the institutional reform group Bersih, centers on allegations of a shareholding scandal and broader concerns about corruption within the MACC itself. The protests underscore growing public frustration with perceived slow progress on anti-corruption efforts, even as the current government came to power promising reform.
The core of the controversy revolves around reports that Azam Baki held shares exceeding limits permitted for civil servants. Bloomberg first reported the allegations, sparking public outcry and calls for accountability. Public service officers in Malaysia are reportedly restricted to owning shares valued at no more than RM100,000 (approximately $21 USD as of February 15, 2026) or 5% of a company’s paid-up capital, whichever is lower. Azam has responded to the allegations by filing a lawsuit, maintaining his innocence, and refusing to seize a leave of absence while a special task force investigates the matter.
Echoes of Past Protests and a Call for Systemic Change
Today’s rally isn’t an isolated event. Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, a former minister in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Cabinet, noted the demonstration mirrored a similar protest held in 2022, which Anwar himself attended. “We are assembling here for that same reason…an agency tasked with fighting corruption must be free (from negative influence),” Nik Nazmi said, emphasizing the necessitate for fundamental reform within the MACC. He argued that simply holding power isn’t enough. tangible change is essential.
The protesters, many dressed in black to symbolize what they see as institutional decay, voiced criticism of the government’s response to the scandal as being too lenient. They are demanding sterner action against Azam and a broader overhaul of the anti-corruption framework. The black attire is intended to symbolize what the protesters see as a deep institutional rot that threatens the coalition’s reformist image.
Rafizi Ramli’s Remarks and Broader Allegations
Former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli delivered a pointed speech, reminding the ruling coalition that it was public discontent with systemic corruption that propelled them into power. “You say we whine and nyet, nyet, nyet. Well, this 22 years of whining and nyet-nyet-nyet against power and the corrupted is what made you prime minister,” he stated, referencing years of public dissatisfaction.
Beyond the shareholding allegations against Azam, protesters and several PKR MPs are as well calling for an investigation into claims that businessmen are leveraging the MACC to intimidate company owners and force them to relinquish ownership. Bloomberg reported on these allegations, citing sources within the MACC and the police. The MACC has denied these claims as baseless.
Expanding the Scope of the Investigation
Rafizi Ramli, along with Nik Nazmi and six other PKR MPs, have formally urged the government to broaden the mandate of the special task force investigating Azam to include these allegations of intimidation. They argue a thorough investigation is needed to address the full extent of potential corruption and abuse of power within the MACC. This call for a wider investigation reflects a growing concern that the issues extend beyond a single individual and point to systemic problems within the agency.
The current investigation was established following the initial reports by Bloomberg regarding Azam’s shareholdings. The task force is tasked with determining whether any laws were broken and whether Azam’s position compromised the integrity of the MACC. Still, critics argue that the task force’s scope is too narrow and fails to address the broader allegations of misconduct.
The MACC, as Malaysia’s primary anti-corruption agency, plays a crucial role in upholding good governance and transparency. These allegations and the resulting protests raise serious questions about the agency’s independence and effectiveness. The outcome of the investigation and any subsequent reforms will be closely watched by both the public and international observers.
The next step in this unfolding situation is the ongoing investigation by the special task force. No specific timeline for the completion of the investigation has been publicly announced, but the findings are expected to have significant implications for the future of the MACC and the fight against corruption in Malaysia.
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