Pandan MP Datuk Rafizi Ramli has cautioned that street demonstrations will persist – and potentially intensify – if the government declines to suspend Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki and initiate what he described as a transparent, independent probe.
Addressing participants at the “Tangkap Azam Baki” rally, Rafizi said civil society groups, including Bersih, would determine the next course of action. However, he stressed that continued refusal to place Azam on leave or to establish an independent investigation would leave protesters with little option but to return to the streets until the MACC chief steps down.
‘Issue Of Public Interest’
Rafizi underscored that the matter transcends partisan politics, framing it as a question of public accountability. He drew parallels with the 1MDB scandal, arguing that allegations involving a senior enforcement official demand impartial scrutiny.
“If the allegations are true, who will carry out the investigation when Azam Baki himself heads the agency?” he asked.
The PKR deputy president also pointed to what he described as systemic weaknesses, claiming the current framework does not adequately safeguard ordinary Malaysians. He added that even prominent or well-connected individuals could be subjected to investigations, charges or pressure.
Pressure In Parliament And On The Streets
While it remains uncertain whether the rally will evolve into a weekly mobilisation, Rafizi said Members of Parliament must be rallied and public momentum sustained. He pledged that lawmakers would continue to provide full backing in Parliament on matters relating to Azam.
Rafizi further suggested that the issue should not be minimised, warning that concerns over governance and institutional integrity resonate widely among the public.
