The Tamesis
February 12, 2026
Petaling Jaya – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says Tan Sri Azam Baki should be allowed to explain himself (picture).
The prime minister has defended the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner amid renewed scrutiny over his shareholding transactions, adding that due process must be respected.
“He was doing his job, why attack him? We have to hear explanations from all sides.”
“We have to listen to his explanation,” Anwar said during a meeting after attending the Chinese New Year reception of the Malaysian Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCCIM) on Wednesday (February 11) evening.
Azzam has faced public scrutiny over his stakes in multiple companies, an issue that has prompted calls for clarification and greater transparency.
He said the shares were held through a nominee arrangement and denied any wrongdoing.
In his speech earlier, Anwar stressed that Malaysia must practice the rule of law rather than “whims and fantasies” while maintaining mutual respect in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.
He said that social stability must be based on legal principles and institutional procedures, and we must be wary of behaviors that undermine harmony and national unity caused by emotions, pressure or unilateral actions.
Anwar also warned against any form of disrespect for religious beliefs and cultural practices, stressing that harmony must be based on mutual respect, understanding and restraint.
Speaking on the sensitivities involved in food practices, including pork-related issues, he said Malaysia’s long-standing tradition of coexistence must continue to be protected, noting that different communities have long respected each other’s practices without provocation or confrontation.
In his speech, ACCCIM Chairman Datuk Ng Yee Peng called for the establishment of a dedicated national SME transformation platform to better coordinate, expand and integrate existing government programs for SMEs.
He said SMEs are facing increasing competition, rising costs, financing pressures and manpower constraints, and require structured and long-term support to upgrade, digitize and remain competitive in an increasingly globalized economy.
Goh also welcomed recent business-friendly measures, including improved tax refund processes, reduced service tax on rental services, the government’s upcoming route to directly employ foreign workers, and new festival and MSME financing schemes.
“To maximize their impact, we encourage continued efforts to ensure they are easily accessible, well-communicated and effectively delivered to operators who truly need them; and where demand is strong, scale up these allocations accordingly,” he said.
About 700 guests, including cabinet ministers, senior government leaders, foreign diplomats and business representatives, attended the dinner.
