Malaysia Minister Urges Royal Commission Into Graft Agency

A senior Malaysian minister said he will push the cabinet to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged abuses of power by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, breaking ranks with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who has defended the anti-graft agency and its chief Azam Baki.

Anthony Loke, the minister of transport, told local media outlet Malaysiakini the government must investigate allegations that a group of businessmen, nicknamed the “corporate mafia,” was working with MACC officials to oust executives and take over companies. Loke leads the Democratic Action Party, the biggest party in Anwar’s ruling coalition.