JOINT STATEMENT: Ranked 6th from the bottom, Malaysia’s FOI Bill’s abysmal assessment based on global ratings
17 AUGUST 2026 The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center), the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), ARTICLE 19, and the undersigned organisations urge the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) to urgently respond to the Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD)’s global ratings and assessment regarding Malaysia’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill 2026. Considering […]
Pakatan Harapan’s triple election losses: A cautionary tale against abandoning the reform agenda
4 AUGUST 2026 PRESS STATEMENT On 1 August 2026, the Negeri Sembilan state elections signalled an overwhelming rejection of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition. Out of 36 seats contested, PH won just 11, while the Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional alliance swept to a two-thirds majority. Notably, Democratic Action Party (DAP) Secretary-General Anthony Loke and former Negeri […]
Contract award to Azam Baki’s brother casts doubt upon Malaysia’s procurement regime
23 JULY PRESS STATEMENT Contract award to Azam Baki’s brother casts doubt upon Malaysia’s procurement regime On 20 July 2026, The Edge Malaysia reported that Integriti Padu Sdn Bhd secured a RM178.29 million contract with the Ministry of Transport on 26 May. Nasir Baki, the brother of former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Azam Baki, […]
Government’s move to reform DBKL the right step forward, but transparency and accountability to the public must follow
21 JULY 2026 PRESS STATEMENT On 16 July 2026, the Minister of Federal Territories laid out 16 reform strategies, aiming to address widespread corruption in Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) commends this effort to introduce internal accountability mechanisms within DBKL, especially in light of numerous corruption […]
JOINT STATEMENT: Refer the Freedom of Information Bill 2026 to the Parliamentary Select Committee: A Betrayal to the People’s Right to Know
13 JULY 2026 The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Article 19, Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) and the undersigned civil society organisations (CSOs) are profoundly disappointed with the version of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill expected to be tabled today, July 13, for first reading at the Dewan Rakyat. We acknowledge […]
JOINT STATEMENT: Government cannot continue sweeping MACC scandals under the rug
9 JULY 2026 On July 7th 2026, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said responded to Parliamentary questions regarding calls for greater transparency on the findings of investigations into former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Azam Baki’s recent shareholding scandal, as well as the establishment of a Royal […]
JOINT STATEMENT: Azam Baki’s shocking presence on anti-financial crime advisory body demonstrates government failure of accountability
4 JULY 2026 Azam Baki’s shocking presence on anti-financial crime advisory body demonstrates government failure of accountability On 30 June, Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar posted pictures from a meeting of the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre (NFCC) advisory board that featured former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Azam Baki. Azam’s presence at this meeting raised serious […]
Proposed amendments to separate the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor do not address longstanding concerns
25 JUNE 2026PRESS STATEMENT On 22 June 2026, a parliamentary special select committee (PSSC) report was released detailing proposed amendments to the Bill to separate the offices of the Attorney General (AG) and the Public Prosecutor (PP). This followed a review of the Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026 tabled in the first Parliamentary sitting […]
JOINT STATEMENT: Civil society demands that the government commit to an effective, progressive, and rights-focused FOI framework
23 JUNE 2026 Civil society demands that the government commit to an effective, progressive, and rights-focused FOI framework As Parliament begins its Second Meeting of the year, Malaysia edges ever closer to legislating a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. This legislation is crucial in facilitating the right to information, a right that is not only […]
Appointment of new MACC Chief Commissioner does not resolve longstanding institutional issues
14 MAY 2026 PRESS STATEMENT On 12 May 2026, Azam Baki ended his tenure as Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). His six-year stint as Chief Commissioner concluded in a cloud of disrepute and disappointment, with numerous scandals remaining unresolved, including: The appointment of Abdul Halim Aman as the new Chief Commissioner does […]