by Theleaders | July 8, 2026 12:54 pm
KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — The government is open to considering a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into allegations of a so-called “corporate mafia” involving claims of collusion with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), including those linked to former MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, Parliament was told.
Law Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said in a written parliamentary reply issued yesterday that the government had not ruled out calls for an RCI, but any decision would have to follow the proper procedures and take into account the outcome of ongoing police investigations.
“The government is always open to considering the establishment of an RCI or any other appropriate mechanism if deemed necessary in the public interest,” she said.
“In this regard, any consideration regarding the proposed establishment of an RCI to investigate the issue of corporate mafia and related matters will be made based on the processes and procedures provided under the law, taking into account the facts, findings and current developments resulting from ongoing investigations by the authorities,” she added.
The allegations of a “corporate mafia” first emerged from claims made on a whistleblower blog before being reported by Bloomberg, which published two investigative reports citing MACC insiders among others.
The reports alleged that a group of high-profile individuals had colluded with the commission to manipulate corporate takeovers through extortion and the exploitation of regulatory loopholes.
Opposition and government backbenchers have recently increased pressure on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration to address alleged corporate misconduct as part of its wider anti-corruption efforts.
While police and the MACC have begun preliminary investigations involving several companies, critics have argued that a standard investigation lacks the wider powers of an RCI.
A Royal Commission of Inquiry in Malaysia typically has powers to summon witnesses, require documents and produce public findings, although its recommendations are not legally binding.
Source URL: https://theleaders-online.com/putrajaya-open-to-rci-on-corporate-mafia-claims-after-investigations-says-azalina/
Copyright ©2026 The Leaders Online unless otherwise noted.