Coming from the previous article, "Slim Down or Stay Down" Sounds Great! But this latest twist in Malaysia’s never ending corruption drama is anything but inspiring. Just days after Tan Sri Azam Baki made headlines with his no BMI no promotion fitness policy for MACC officers, the commission has now filed a forfeiture suit to seize over RM169 million in cash allegedly linked to former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
So while officers are being told to slim down or risk staying down, it seems some political wallets are bursting at the seams. If MACC was worried about public image and health, then let’s be honest RM169 million in cold, hard cash sounds like a heavy national weight problem.
In this moment, MACC wants Malaysians to believe that it is serious, consistent, and proactive. The BMI policy might burn fat, but will this forfeiture case burn corruption?
If true, the money stashed away raises major questions: How does such a staggering amount of money end up in someone's circle post-premiership? Were these "donations"? Forgotten savings? Or maybe, like Azam’s share account, it was all just someone else using the account?
So much stolen, only forfeiting, no crimes committed? That’s the frustrating pattern we keep seeing. The basis for such forfeiture of the money is obviously corruption money. No corruptors are being charged? The whole nation is watching and not to forget the RM5 million found in the safe house. Also no news!!! The rakyat is expected to accept asset seizures as justice, but without names charged or trials held, it feels more like damage control than true accountability.
Enter the 2025 legal drama complete with the signature Madani legal flavour. DNAA files already warming in the drawer, some say with Ismail Sabri’s name imprinted on the front page, just waiting to be used. We wouldn’t be surprised if he walks into court for five minutes in his signature BLURberry shirt, does a quick “smile and wave,” and walks right back out.
If at all there is a case charge him in court. Why wait this long? Surely, there must be a case, or else why is MACC trying to forfeit RM169 million? Can money from corruption or illegal activity be seized while the culprit remains untouched by the justice system?
Show some transparency. At least the hardworking officers are trying to reduce obesity rates so lead by example with realistic, health-focused goals like achieving a recommended BMI. Don’t just enforce rules on paper while turning a blind eye to public scandals. Not another shady “we’ve settled it quietly behind closed doors” episode. The public is watching, and the outcome matters.
This is unacceptable. He should be charged according to the rule of law, and every ill-gotten sen forfeited in court openly, lawfully, and visibly. Period.
What kind of law are we practising in this homeland of ours? Or are we still living under the unwritten codes of the Jungle of Malaya’s Law? Is this what Anwar meant when he said he is only interested to collect back the money people stole and not send the perpetrators to jail?
So next time, people in power can steal all the taxpayers’ money they want, use the money to enrich themselves, and then give it back to the government. No penalty, no punishment, no jail time. What a wonderful country and what a wonderful investment scheme. Malaysia mesti boleh!!
It's easy to ask officers to stay fit and lean. But can MACC apply the same pressure and discipline to high-profile investigations? Because this is what Malaysians want: not just slim officers, but a slimmed-down system that doesn't allow political elites to hoard public wealth, play dumb, and walk away.
MACC now has a golden opportunity. Not just to chase calories, but to chase real accountability. Because the rakyat isn’t counting kilograms. We’re counting missing millions.
And speaking of missing millions let’s not ignore the recent news that fashion designer Jovian Mandagie, Ismail Sabri’s former son in law, has just been declared bankrupt over a 'friendly loan' amounting to RM5.28 million. This development raises even more eyebrows. What kind of circles operate with multimillion ringgit “friendly loans” and yet avoid public scrutiny until things collapse?
When people around former top leaders are defaulting on massive sums while others in their circle face forfeiture of RM169 million, it shows a disturbing pattern. A web of money, privilege, and silence. It is no longer just about corruption it’s about how deeply the rot has spread, and how casually the elite walk away from it.
The rakyat sees the connections. They see the lifestyles. And they see the double standards.
This is starting to look like a publicity stunt to justify MACC's existence and the extension of the chief commissioner! We taxpayers pay for your existence, and we expect you to do your job not hold endless press conferences that end up with more DNAA than actual convictions.
By Annan Vaithegi, a columnist sharing personal thoughts on public accountability and justice in Malaysia
Annan Vaithegi (annanvaithegi@icloud.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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