The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is set to unveil a new enforcement strategy tomorrow, focusing on recovering state funds and taking tougher action against financial criminals who deprive the public of their rights.
The new approach, which emphasises asset recovery and more systematic investigations, aims to hold accountable those who have previously lived lavishly at the expense of public funds.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the agency must act more effectively in the future to ensure enforcement actions keep pace with evolving challenges.
He added that the strategy follows last year’s success, during which MACC recovered RM8.4 billion through punitive measures — one of the agency’s best years since its establishment.
While MACC continues to investigate and prosecute corruption cases, it also specialises in financial crime, including forensic accounting and anti-money laundering measures.
“In terms of asset recovery, it’s no longer just about seizing physical assets at a suspect’s home. We now track money across multiple accounts, including proxy accounts, which is far from easy,” he said.
Azam stressed that while there’s no guarantee of recovering last year’s RM8.4 billion, MACC will apply more systematic and technology-driven methods to high-profile cases to reduce financial leakages.
He also highlighted the importance of optimising human resources: “Hiring more officers alone isn’t enough. We must improve the way we work to ensure financial criminals face heavy penalties.”
He noted, for example, that tax evasion over a decade results in significant public losses that must be accounted for, and MACC will calculate and recover these funds wherever possible.
Azam concluded that the new methods are crucial for maximising punishment for financial offenders, requiring expertise, coordination, and strategic planning. “If we aim to bankrupt an individual, we must first trace and secure the assets they’ve hidden,” he said.
