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THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has moved decisively to dispel perceptions that it targets only minor offenders, stepping up efforts to pursue high-profile corruption cases in line with its new rallying call, “Bold and Radical in the Fight Against Corruption” (“Berani dan Radikal Perangi Rasuah”).
Beginning this year, the agency is sharpening its focus on critical public-interest cases through a risk-based approach, particularly in high-risk sectors such as government procurement, border enforcement, cartels and public administration, while also strengthening investigations into money laundering.
The shift has been underscored by a series of major investigations in recent years that have seen prominent figures arrested, charged in court and, in several cases, large sums of stolen public funds recovered.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the commission was committed to taking action against all forms of corruption that cause harm to the people and the country, regardless of whether those involved were “small fry” or powerful individuals.
“MACC carries out its duties by conducting detection and, most recently, the arrest of the director-general of the Department of Environment and his deputy to assist in investigations related to the e-waste case,” he said.
“Besides that, there is also the procurement cartel case involving charges in court against the top management of the Malaysian Armed Forces, which is also a high-profile case,” he told Metro Ahad.
Azam said investigations into 1Malaysia Development Berhad, SRC International, cartel scandals, the misappropriation of funds under the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit, and probes into the Putrajaya–KLIA Expressway project were all major cases pursued without regard to an individual’s background or status.
“To say that MACC only targets civil servants is actually not true. In fact, we want to protect the public service, not target it,” he said.
He added that investigations also extended to government-linked companies due to the state’s interests.
Azam said the commission’s core mission remained focused on high-profile cases that result in losses of public funds.
“We want to reduce the leakage of people’s money caused by irresponsible elements involved in corruption and misconduct,” he said.
“Critical issues, or more precisely issues of public interest, must be addressed to ensure that the rights of society are always protected and that there is no leakage of government funds or revenue sources.”
Statistics for the period from January 1 to December 31, 2025 show that the MACC successfully seized and recovered more than RM8.5 billion in proceeds of corruption through various enforcement measures, including asset and cash seizures, account freezes, forfeitures, compounds and settlements.
Of the total RM8,509,295,911.01 recovered, freezing and seizure actions accounted for the largest portion at RM6.95 billion, followed by settlements amounting to RM1.5 billion, compounds totalling RM49.7 million and forfeitures of RM8.1 million.
These actions were carried out under the MACC Act, the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, the Criminal Procedure Code and other related laws.
Among the high-profile cases in 2025 were the detention of the director-general and deputy director-general of the Department of Environment over alleged abuse of power and corruption linked to electronic waste management, as well as defence procurement cases that led to the freezing of accounts and the charging of senior military officers.
The commission also launched a wide-ranging probe following a viral video alleging corruption in mining licences, which resulted in document seizures, recordings and cash confiscations, as well as the prosecution of two state assemblymen.
In the banking sector, Ops Tiger saw bank officers arrested for accepting bribes to approve loans, with dozens detained nationwide and former bank officials charged in court.
Ops Rentas exposed a syndicate involving enforcement officers who allegedly released undocumented migrants in exchange for payments, leading to the freezing of 57 bank accounts worth more than RM2.7 million.
Other investigations included the MEX highway project, which saw a businessman with the title Tan Sri charged, and defence procurement scandals involving asset seizures and account freezes.
Most recently, Ops Sikaro uncovered a smuggling syndicate involving tobacco, cigarettes and cigars through false declarations, following raids at 14 locations across the Klang Valley and Johor.
Taken together, these developments point to an increasingly aggressive enforcement landscape, with multi-billion-ringgit recoveries highlighting both the scale of corruption challenges and the authorities’ determination to confront them. - February 1, 2026