KUALA LUMPUR, April 23, 2026 — A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) led by Bersih has confirmed that the #TangkapAzamBaki rally scheduled for this Saturday, April 25, at Dataran Merdeka will proceed as planned. The groups are determined to block any fourth contract extension for Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC/SPRM) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, whose current term ends on May 12.
In a statement posted on X today, Bersih chairperson Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz, who also chairs the #TangkapAzamBaki secretariat, said the rally would go ahead despite ongoing speculation about the government’s plans for Azam’s tenure.
“Kami @bersihofficial, Mandiri dan gabungan pertubuhan masyarakat sivil CSO tegaskan bahawa himpunan Tangkap Azam Baki pada Sabtu ini akan tetap diteruskan. Kita akan pastikan kontrak Azam Baki tidak akan disambung untuk kali keempat pada 12 Mei ini,” he wrote.
Faisal stressed that the protest is not only about Azam Baki personally but addresses deeper systemic and structural issues within the MACC. He cited unresolved allegations involving stock ownership, corporate influence (“mafia korporat”), lack of transparency in investigations, and high-profile cases such as the deaths of Teoh Beng Hock and Ahmad Saibaini.
“In the same vein, SPRM is not merely an issue of Azam Baki but a matter of system and structure,” he added. “The stock ownership cases, corporate mafia, transparency in investigations, including the death cases of the late Ahmad Saibaini and the late Teoh Beng Hock, justify the government announcing a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI).”
The coalition is calling for a full RCI into the MACC to ensure comprehensive reforms. “This Saturday’s gathering will become a platform for the people to rise up against the damage within this SPRM until comprehensive reform of the SPRM is carried out,” Faisal concluded.
The rally is the latest in a series of protests organised by the #TangkapAzamBaki secretariat, which has the support of more than 30 civil society entities including Bersih and Mandiri. Earlier events have already drawn public attention, with former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli confirming he will attend and deliver the closing speech on Saturday.
Azam Baki’s contract, first granted in 2020, has already been extended three times. Reports in March indicated the government does not plan to renew it further amid mounting public pressure over alleged misconduct. However, no official confirmation has been issued by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim or the MACC as of today.
Bersih has expressed confidence that Saturday’s turnout at Dataran Merdeka — starting at 3pm — will be stronger than previous gatherings, reflecting growing public frustration over the slow pace of anti-corruption reforms.
Police have said they have not yet been officially notified of the event.
The secretariat has urged all Malaysians to join the peaceful assembly to demand accountability, full investigation into the allegations, and systemic overhaul of the MACC.
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