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PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed confidence that Malaysia can claw back substantially more misappropriated public funds, beyond the RM15.5 billion recovered over the past two years, saying the figure falls short of the actual scale of losses caused by fraud, leakages and systemic weaknesses.
Describing the recovered sum as only a starting point, Anwar said the money involved rightfully belongs to the people and must be pursued relentlessly.
“This is the people's right, money that was taken, leaked, and lost because of fraud and weaknesses. But if you ask me whether this is enough, I am not convinced,” he said.
The prime minister said the government was prepared to intensify its efforts to recover what had been siphoned off, underlining that the task was both a moral obligation and a national imperative.
“We accept this challenge, that we are capable of collecting funds that were lost, leaked and stolen, and in doing so save our nation,” he said.
Anwar was speaking at the 44th World Customs Day celebration, where he highlighted the role of close coordination between the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and other enforcement agencies in securing additional revenue.
He said cooperation with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the police, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living and the Malaysia Competition Commission had been instrumental in strengthening enforcement outcomes.
Commending the Customs Department, Anwar said its performance reflected discipline, professionalism and effective teamwork across agencies.
“Because of this cooperation and seriousness shown, we not only recorded good performance that has been announced, but also succeeded in collecting additional funds from money that was robbed, leaked and lost due to fraud and other weaknesses,” he said.
However, Anwar cautioned that progress should not breed complacency.
He warned that lingering integrity issues and structural gaps within the system could erode hard-won gains if left unaddressed, describing them as “seeds of decay” that posed a continuing risk.
“We are grateful for achievements that are encouraging, such as economic growth and the performance of the ringgit, but these signs alone are not enough to raise the dignity and standing of the nation,” he said.
The prime minister urged civil servants and enforcement officers to push further reforms, tighten governance and close loopholes that allow abuses to persist.
“That is why we must always ask ourselves what additional steps are needed to improve performance and strengthen our capabilities,” he added.
While acknowledging that many public officers serve with dedication and excellence, Anwar said isolated weaknesses could still undermine the credibility of institutions if ignored.
“I can continue to highlight exciting achievements, but I know, from awareness, that we have greater potential. Many serve with excellence, but there are still seeds of decay that damage our integrity,” he said.
Anwar stressed that the government’s vision extended beyond short-term economic indicators, saying true success would be measured by lasting improvements in integrity, public service delivery and national competitiveness, ultimately benefiting the people and strengthening Malaysia’s standing. - January 26, 2026