PETALING JAYA — Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki has denied any involvement in a RM178.29 million government contract awarded to a company linked to his younger brother, Datuk Nasir Baki.
Azam maintained he was completely unaware of the deal, stressing that the award was strictly a commercial transaction between the company and the relevant government ministry.
His remarks follow a report by The Edge Malaysia revealing that Integriti Padu Sdn Bhd—in which Nasir reportedly holds a 34 per cent stake—secured a six-year contract from the Transport Ministry on May 26. The contract involves developing and operating the Road Charge and Vehicle Entry Permit (RC/VEP) system at the Malaysia-Singapore border following a request for proposal (RFP) process launched in June last year.
“That is his business matter. So, does this mean anyone related to me will be questioned?” Azam was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.
Azam, who retired from the anti-graft agency on May 12, emphasized that ministry-level decisions are entirely separate from his family ties. “I have retired and it is up to the ministry to award the project to his company,” he said, defending his relatives against unfair public scrutiny. “I also have a younger sister who is a renowned ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist in this country. Does this mean she too will become a subject of attention?”
The controversy surrounding the contract revives public focus on Azam’s family business ties, which previously drew scrutiny in 2022 over corporate share acquisitions in 2015. At the time, Azam revealed he had permitted his brother to use his personal trading account to purchase shares in Gets Global Berhad. The Securities Commission Malaysia subsequently investigated the matter and found no conclusive evidence of securities law breaches.
Earlier this year, Azam was also subject to a special government task force investigation regarding allegations that his corporate shareholdings breached a 2024 circular capping civil service share ownership at RM100,000 or 5 per cent of paid-up capital. Putrajaya later confirmed that appropriate action had been taken based on the committee’s findings.
