S L Lim, Sabah Political Observer
KOTA KINABALU: I have read Jerry Ambuting’s commentary responding to the statement made by opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin regarding the appointment of Tan Sri Azam Baki to the Advisory Board of the National Financial Crime Centre (NFCC).
With respect, I believe Mr Jerry Ambuting’s response misses the central issue.
The debate is not about whether Tan Sri Azam Baki has supporters or critics. Neither is it about whether those raising concerns come from the government or the opposition.
The real issue is whether appointments to institutions entrusted with combating corruption and financial crime strengthen public confidence in the independence, integrity and impartiality of those institutions.
In any mature constitutional democracy, public confidence is as important as legal authority. An appointment may be legally valid, but the Government must still be prepared to explain why it serves the public interest and why it enhances trust in the institutions responsible for upholding the rule of law.
Instead of focusing on the political motives of Hamzah Zainudin or other critics, the more appropriate response would be to explain, on objective grounds, why Tan Sri Azam Baki’s appointment serves the national interest and strengthens public confidence in the NFCC.
Healthy democracies welcome scrutiny. Public concerns should be answered with facts, sound reasoning and transparency—not by dismissing critics because of their political affiliation.
Institutional credibility cannot be built through political loyalty or public relations. It is earned through accountability, openness and appointments that command broad public respect and confidence.
Ultimately, Malaysians are entitled to expect that those entrusted with safeguarding the nation’s integrity are appointed not only according to the law but also in a manner that inspires confidence across society.
That is the standard expected of every government genuinely committed to good governance, institutional integrity and the rule of law.
