KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should not measure its success by the number of arrests it makes, but by whether its enforcement action strengthens institutions, protects public funds and prevents corruption from recurring, says its chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman.
He said the commission’s ultimate objective was to ensure those entrusted with public power and resources were held accountable while strengthening systems and closing loopholes that could be exploited for corruption.
“Figures are not the only measure of success. More importantly, it is how enforcement action can bring criminals to justice, recover money that has been misappropriated, protect public funds, rectify weaknesses and ensure that the trust given to the government is not abused,” he told Scoop during an interview at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya today.
Halim said every corruption case uncovered should serve as a lesson for the country, particularly by exposing weaknesses in areas such as procurement, fund management and project implementation.
He said MACC’s role therefore went beyond arresting suspects, as investigations could also identify flaws in systems that created opportunities for corruption.
“We want every case uncovered to serve as a lesson for the country. If we only arrest the perpetrator while the system continues to have the same weaknesses, the problem may recur,” he said.
Halim said MACC was increasingly adopting a proactive, risk-based and forward-looking approach, rather than focusing solely on action after an offence had occurred.
He said enforcement outcomes should be translated into system improvements, including stronger internal controls, better procedures and greater accountability.
“That is why, for me, MACC’s real success is not merely when we succeed in uncovering a case, but when, as a result of that case, the space for corruption becomes increasingly narrow, the system becomes stronger and public confidence in national institutions increases,” he said.
Halim said public trust could not simply be demanded, but had to be earned through the actions, performance, integrity and consistency of MACC and its officers.
He said every officer must understand that their actions reflected not only on themselves, but also on the reputation and credibility of the institution.
“In the context of the fight against corruption, this effort cannot be shouldered by MACC alone. It requires the involvement and cooperation of all parties, including government agencies, the private sector, society and members of the media,” he said.
Halim also rejected the view that corruption should primarily be attributed to the pressures of life, saying MACC’s experience with cases that had resulted in convictions pointed instead to individual greed as a key factor.
“Based on high-profile cases investigated by MACC which have resulted in convictions in court, this is evidence that corruption occurs not because of the pressures of life, but because of greed within individuals,” he said.
He said this reinforced the importance of building a culture of integrity rather than relying solely on enforcement as a deterrent against abuse of power.
Halim said integrity must begin within MACC itself, with its officers expected to uphold the same principles demanded of those under investigation.
“Integrity must become a culture, not merely a rule. It must be translated into every action, decision and the way we carry out our responsibility to the people,” he said.
He said MACC’s ability to maintain public confidence would ultimately depend on whether it could demonstrate that its enforcement was professional, fair and capable of delivering lasting improvements.
As MACC prepares to mark its 60th anniversary next year, Abdul Halim said the commission should not only look back at its enforcement record, but use its experience to build a stronger, more professional and proactive institution capable of protecting the interests of the people and the country. - October 1, 2026
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