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The National Revenue Recovery Enforcement Team (NRRET), established in 2013, should have been institutionalized during its formation, says former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad. Dzulkifli, who led the MACC from August 2016 to May 2018, highlighted the effectiveness of NRRET in bringing together various agencies to combat financial crimes, especially when different entities were working in isolation.
Originally named the special administrative task force under Dzulkifli's leadership, it was later rebranded as NRRET when Tan Sri Apandi Ali became the Attorney General. The team included heads of enforcement agencies like the police, MACC, Bank Negara Malaysia, Customs Department, and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs. NRRET aimed to recover illicit money outflows, combat tax evasion, and reduce financial leakages, particularly related to smuggling and oil subsidies.
Under Dzulkifli's leadership, NRRET successfully recovered around RM1 billion from tax evaders. Notable achievements also included reclaiming undeclared tax funds from gaming businesses amounting to hundreds of millions and addressing the issue of imported luxury vehicles.
However, with a change in government, NRRET was dissolved, and the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre (NFCC) was established. Dzulkifli expressed reservations about commenting on NFCC's effectiveness and highlighted the importance of having legal authority based on a single Act, which the existing agency possesses.
Dzulkifli advocated for the institutionalization of NRRET with its own legislation to ensure its continued effectiveness. He acknowledged the establishment of NFCC in 2019 but noted that its impact is yet to be seen. While recognizing the advantage of data collection by NFCC, Dzulkifli questioned the clarity in enforcement compared to the earlier establishment of the special task force and NRRET.
In conclusion, the insights from Dzulkifli underscore the importance of continuity and legal authority in combating financial crimes. The need for effective institutionalization and clear legal frameworks remains crucial for agencies dedicated to addressing illicit financial activities and ensuring sustained success in recovering assets and combating economic offenses. The experience of NRRET provides valuable lessons for the ongoing efforts in financial crime prevention and enforcement in Malaysia.
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