Event Summary
On 7 April 2026, activists Hamdin Nordin (Liga Rakyat Demokratik), Ahsanul Akmal Sulam (Liga Mahasiswa), and Fakrurrazzi Khairur Rijal (Mandiri) were arrested by auxiliary police at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. The trio staged a peaceful silent protest during a keynote address on integrity and good governance by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Azam Baki.
Six minutes into the speech, the activists—including one university student—raised “Tangkap Azam Baki” placards (Arrest Azam Baki), with at least one audibly shouting the slogan. Organisers, assisted by auxiliary police, swiftly escorted them out. Video footage documented an auxiliary officer failing to provide grounds for arrest despite Hamdin’s explicit requests. The three were detained at Dang Wangi District Police Headquarters overnight. The arrests—triggered by at least one police report lodged by the MACC—took place as Azam was advocating for a comprehensive culture of integrity and firm leadership.
On 8 April, the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate’s Court granted a three-day remand order against the activists. They are being investigated under Sections 186 (obstructing a public servant), 447 (criminal trespass), and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace) of the Penal Code, alongside Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955. The activists were released at 1.10am on 9 April.
While Malaysian Corruption Watch president Jais Abdul Karim and Bentong Member of Parliament Young Syefura Othman commended Azam’s “professionalism” in handling the incident, civil society and members from political parties (PAS, Bersatu Youth, MUDA and DAP Youth) have condemned the arrests as an act of intimidation and a violation of freedom of expression under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution. Critics also highlight the hypocrisy of preaching integrity while suppressing public calls for a transparent investigation into Azam’s unresolved shareholding controversy and alleged links to a corporate mafia.