REMAND is not at all necessary for investigations - and can be seen as the dreaded 'pre-conviction' punishment. Investigation can always proceed - call the suspect/witness to the police station at particular date/time for the purpose of investigation. If they do not turn up - maybe then remand may come into play. Remember, some, for more serious and complicated crimes, like Najib Razak, was never, I believe, held in remand for purposes of investigation.
Disturbing to note the MACC Chief Commissioner is still not being SUSPENDED - as the risk of tampering with evidence is very real?? - Suspend Azam Baki NOW Pending Investigation to Reduce Risk of Tampering of Evidence - don't wait until term ends in May?
For immediate release.
8 April 2026
Joint Statement
Release Hamdin, Peko, and Ahsanul, Tangkap Azam Baki!
We, the undersigned civil society organisations and individuals, condemn the arrest and remand of Hamdin, Fakrurrazzi (Peko), and Ahsanul for their protest action against Azam Baki.
We were informed that they are under investigation under Sections 186, 447, 504 of the Penal Code, and Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act. They have been granted a remand order for 3 days, effective 8 April 2026.
The right to expression and assembly is provided and protected by Article 10 of the Federal Constitution. As this right can be restricted only in limited circumstances involving national security, it is preposterous to suggest that the peaceful protest by these three activists against Azam Baki constitutes a threat to national security.
Azam Baki’s abysmal performance as the Chairperson of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) is obvious to all. He has consistently failed to fulfill his duties and responsibilities, particularly regarding the ownership of company shares, and has persistently failed to investigate and address corruption allegations.
Due to these violations, Azam Baki has single-handedly reinforced the perception that MACC is a political tool that acts against Malaysia's interests.
Given Azam Baki's blatant disregard for rules binding civil servants, his failure to investigate corruption, and the government's repeated failure to hold him accountable for his indiscretion, public action and protest remain the only means for Malaysians to combat corruption.
Hamdin, Peko, and Ahsanul’s peaceful confrontation of Azam Baki is a testament to the strength and resilience of our democracy in the face of authoritarianism and corruption. Their action, which should be celebrated and honoured, was instead met with arrest and multiple criminal charges.
The decision by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) to arrest and seek an extended remand period against them can only be interpreted as a means to intimidate and deter Malaysians against challenging Azam Baki and those behind him. Malaysians have grown beyond such tactics and will not be cowed.
We demand the immediate release of Hamdin, Fakrurrazzi (Peko), and Ahsanul.
If there were to be any arrest, Azam Baki should have been at the top of the list.
#TangkapAzamBaki
Bebas Hamdin, Peko, dan Ahsanul, Tangkap Azam Baki!
Kami individu-individu serta organisasi masyarakat sivil mengutuk penangkapan dan penahanan reman ke atas Hamdin, Fakrurrazzi (Peko), dan Ahsanul di atas tindakan mereka melakukan aksi protes terhadap Azam Baki.
Kami dimaklumkan bahawa kesemua mereka sedang disiasat di bawah Seksyen 186, 447, 504 Kanun Keseksaan dan Seksyen 14 Akta Kesalahan-kesalahan Kecil. Kesemua mereka juga telah dibenarkan reman selama 3 hari bermula 8 April 2026.
Hak untuk berhimpun dan berekspresi adalah hak yang diberikan serta dilindungi di bawah Artikel 10 Perlembagaan Persekutuan. Oleh yang demikian, hak ini hanya boleh dihalang sekiranya ia melibatkan hal keselamatan negara, maka ianya tidak masuk akal sekiranya tindakan protes aman oleh tiga aktivis terhadap Azam Baki ini dianggap sebagai satu risiko terhadap keselamatan negara.
Prestasi Azam Baki sebagai Pengerusi Agensi Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) yang sangat teruk adalah jelas dan nyata bagi semua. Dia secara tekal telah gagal untuk menjaga amanah dan tanggung jawabnya, khususnya berkaitan dengan kepemilikan saham syarikat dan secara terus menerus gagal untuk menyiasat dan menangani tuduhan korupsi terhadap dirinya sendiri.
Disebabkan pelanggaran-pelanggaran ini, Azam Baki telah mengukuhkan persepsi SPRM sebagai alat politik dan bertindak bertentangan dengan kepentingan awam.
Disebabkan tindakan Azam Baki yang sewenang-wenangnya mengabaikan peraturan dan etika penjawat awam, kegagalan dia untuk menyiasat korupsi, serta kegagalan berulang kali kerajaan untuk mengambil tindakan terhadap Azam Baki, maka aksi langsung dan proteslah hanya jalan yang tinggal untuk rakyat Malaysia melawan korupsi.
Tindakan Hamdin, Peko dan Ahsanul adalah bukti kekuatan dan ketahanan demokrasi kita dalam melawan korupsi dan salah guna kuasa. Tindakan mereka, yang sepatutnya diraikan dan dihormati, sebaliknya telah dibalas dengan penahanan dan pelbagai tuduhan jelanayah.
Keputusan oleh Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) untuk menangkap dan melanjutkan tempoh tahanan reman ke atas mereka juga boleh dianggap sebagai satu usaha untuk menakut-nakutkan dan mencegah rakyat Malaysia daripada mempertanggungjawabkan Azam Baki dan dalang-dalang disebalik skandal ini. Rakyat Malaysia jelas telah muak dan lali dengan taktik lama ini dan tidak akan tunduk.
Kami menuntut pembebasan segera Hamdin, Fakrurrazzi (Peko), dan Ahsanul.
Jika sebarang tangkapan perlu dilakukan, Azam Baki yang sepatutnya terlebih dahulu dibawa ke muka pengadilan.
#TangkapAzamBaki
Endorsed by,
- MANDIRI
- HAYAT
- Borneo Komrad
- Liga Mahasiswa Malaysia
- Liga Mahasiswa Universiti Malaya
- SIUMAN Collective
- Liga Mahasiswa Universiti Sains Malaysia
- Liga Mahasiswa Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin
- Liga Mahasiswa Universiti Teknologi Mara
- Liga Mahasiswa Universiti Kuala Lumpur
- Federasi Pemuda Kebangsaan
- Gerakan Perempuan Melawan
- Liga Rakyat Demokratik
- Persatuan Mahasiswa Orang Asli Malaysia
- Gerakan Belia Sepunjabi Malaysia (GBSM)
- Jawatankuasa Hak Sivil KLSCAH (KLSCAH-CRC)
- Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section (KLSCAH Youth)
- Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
- Citizens international
- Diversity Inclusivity Equity Malaysia (DIEM)
- Sekretariat Lawan 2 Darjat
- Pertubuhan Mahasiswa Kongres Gombak (CONGRESS)
- New Generation Universiti Malaya
- Himpunan Advokasi Rakyat Malaysia (HARAM)
- Bangsa Mahasiswa Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
- Ikatan Mahasiswa Demokratik Malaysia
- MUDA
- TEROKA
- Sekretariat Reformasi Institusi Pendidikan Tinggi #ReformIPT
- Suara Siswa Universiti Malaya
- Demokrat Malaya
- Women in Power
- Undi18
- Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia [SABM]
- BERSIH
- JEJAKA
- Sabah Reform Initiative (SARI)
- Ruang Lawan Malaysia
- Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Masyarakat, Indonesia
- Malaysian Protest 4 Palestine
- Amy Dangin
- Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement
- Ikatan Anak Muda Tawau (IKAT)
- Gerakan Anak Muda Pantai Timur (GEMPUR)
- Suara Mahasiswa UMS
- Federasi Pemuda Kebangsaan
- Demokrat Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
- Portal Nadisiswa.com
- CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
- Mirthless (band)
- UMANY
- Kesatuan Stateless
- Relaut
- KMUM Perancangan Strategik
- Advocates for Non-Discrimination and Access to Knowledge (ANAK)
- KL Queer Space
- Greater Equitable Measures (GEM)
- Buku Jalanan Chow Kit
- Women’s March Malaysia 2026
- Agora Society Malaysia
- Aliran
- Cahaya Society
- filsufi. & co
- Korum
- Jentayu - Malaysia Muda
- Greenpeace Malaysia
- North South Initiative
- Dania Kamal Aryf
- ALTSEAN-Burma
- Justice for Sisters
- SIS Forum
- Pocket of Pink (POP)
- Monsters Among Us (MAU)
- Center to Combat Corruption & Cronyism (C4 Center)
- Parti Sosialis Malaysia
- Student Power and Rise of Campus (SPARC)
- Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM)
- Angkatan Kesatuan Siswa Sosialis (AKSI)
- The Vote Wisely Project (Sabah)
- Pemuda Sosialis
- Apa Kata Wanita Orang Asli (AKWOA)
- MADPET - Malaysian against Death Penalty and Torture
- Projek SAMA
- Light Brigade
- Family Frontiers
- Reproductive Rights Advocacy Alliance Malaysia (RRAAM)
- Kemban Kolektif
- Freedom Film Network
- Environmental Protection Society Malaysia (EPSKesatuan Mahasiswa Universiti Malaya Fakulti Sastera dan Sains Sosial
- Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam
Malaysia Universiti Malaya
89 Civil Societies Call For The Release Of Protestors Who Targeted Azam Baki
A total of 89 coalition of civil society organisations and activists have condemned the arrest and remand of three individuals following a protest targeting Azam Baki, calling for their immediate release and defending their right to peaceful assembly.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the groups said the activists — identified as Hamdin, Fakrurrazzi (also known as Peko), and Ahsanul — are being investigated under multiple legal provisions, including Sections 186, 447, and 504 of the Penal Code, as well as Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act. The trio has been remanded for three days beginning April 8.
The coalition argued that the arrests were unjustified, stressing that the protest was peaceful and fell within the protections of Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and assembly.
“It is preposterous to suggest that a peaceful protest constitutes a threat to national security,” the statement said, adding that such actions risk undermining democratic principles.
The groups were sharply critical of Azam Baki’s leadership of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), alleging failures in addressing corruption and controversies surrounding his own conduct. They claimed public frustration over perceived inaction had driven citizens to protest.
According to the statement, the arrests could be seen as an attempt to intimidate the public and deter dissent, a move the coalition said Malaysians would not accept.
The organisations further urged authorities to uphold civil liberties and ensure that law enforcement actions remain proportionate and in line with constitutional protections.
The joint statement was endorsed by dozens of groups, including Suara Rakyat Malaysia, Bersih, Greenpeace Malaysia, and Parti Sosialis Malaysia, among others, reflecting widespread concern across civil society over the incident.
They concluded by reiterating their demand for the immediate release of the three activists and called for greater accountability in addressing corruption allegations.- Business Today, 8/4/2026
DAP Youth: Expedite answers on Azam's shares, not arrest protestersPublished: Apr 8, 2026 3:38 PM⋅Updated: 5:49 PDAP Youth has joined calls for the immediate release of the three protesters arrested for disrupting MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s speech, urging the government to clarify the controversy over his shareholdings swiftly.
“DAP Youth stresses that the priority now is to expedite a transparent and open investigation into the issue of excessive shareholding involving Azam, and to provide convincing explanations to the public, rather than investigating activists and students as a means of deflecting the issue,” it added in a statement.
Reminding authorities that the era of autocratic governments in Malaysia has passed, the wing emphasised that the Madani government upholds the rights and freedoms of speech.
“Therefore, the police must adhere to the rule of law and avoid excessive actions that will only create tension and undermine public confidence in the government,” DAP Youth said.
ADSThe wing stressed that law enforcement under the Madani government must also show greater openness, inclusivity, and respect for citizens’ freedom of speech.
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki Fundamental right
DAP Youth noted that in a democratic nation, the right to demand accountability from the government is a fundamental right of the people.
It added that as long as such actions do not disrupt public order, authorities should not act rashly by restricting citizens’ freedom of speech.
Earlier, the Tangkap Azam Baki Secretariat described the detention and three-day remand of the three youths involved in the protest as an attempt by authorities to silence anti-corruption activists.
Group spokesperson Alyaah Hani Anuar said: “We view this arrest as an intimidation tactic by the Madani government, and the three-day remand is unreasonable.
“We see this as a form of intimidation and a betrayal of freedom of speech.”
The three who were detained - Liga Rakyat Demokratik president Hamdin Nordin, Liga Mahasiswa activist Ahsanul Akmal Sulam, and Mandiri coordinator Fakrurrazzi Khairur Rijal - are being investigated under Sections 186, 447, and 504 of the Penal Code, as well as Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955.
The provisions relate to offences of obstructing public servants, trespass, provocation, and public nuisance, carrying penalties ranging from a small fine of RM100 to up to two years’ imprisonment.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus, who confirmed the remand order, said: “We have opened an investigation into the offences of preventing the duty of a public officer, sedition and also trespass.
“We will attempt to complete the investigations urgently. More than two police reports were lodged over the incident,” Fadil said during a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters today.
‘Peaceful protest not a crime’
Separately, Amnesty International Malaysia’s freedom of expression campaigner Kiran Kaur said the trio’s detention over a peaceful protest highlights an alarming pattern of penalising non-violent expression.
Amnesty International Malaysia’s Kiran Kaur “Instead of delivering on long-promised reforms such as repealing laws that restrict free speech, the authorities are once again resorting to broad and punitive measures to silence dissent.
“Peaceful protest is not a crime. Arresting and detaining activists over alleged criminal trespass and ‘intentional insult’ is a disproportionate response to non-violent action,” she said in a statement.
Kiran stressed that instead of targeting activists, the government should create an environment where people can safely express criticism and demand accountability.
“The repeated arrest and detention of government critics points to a broader pattern of shrinking civic space that must urgently be reversed,” she added.
The activists were arrested after holding placards calling for Azam’s arrest when the chief commissioner was delivering a speech at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Azam has been in the spotlight over his shareholdings, which allegedly exceed limits imposed on public officials, while MACC has been accused of being part of a corporate mafia scandal, with officers allegedly colluding with businesspersons to execute corporate takeovers.
Last week, government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil denied allegations that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had asked “key people” in the probe of Azam’s shareholdings to hold off from making their findings public. - Malaysiakini, 8/4/2026
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