MACC Recovers Over RM8.4 Billion in Assets Through Major Anti-Corruption Crackdowns in 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has reported significant progress in its fight against corruption this year, uncovering multiple high-profile cases and recovering assets worth more than RM8.4 billion as of Nov 30.

In a statement issued on Tuesday (Dec 23), the MACC said its investigations spanned cases involving a former prime minister, enforcement officers, banking institutions, and large-scale smuggling syndicates, reflecting an intensified nationwide enforcement drive.

Among the most prominent cases was an investigation linked to Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. The probe led to the seizure of cash in various foreign currencies exceeding RM169 million, along with 16 kilograms of gold bars and additional cash from a safe house, in connection with alleged corruption and money laundering. On Oct 1, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court approved the forfeiture of the seized funds after no claimant came forward.

The commission also launched Ops Rentas on Sept 10, targeting corruption and abuse of power among enforcement personnel suspected of facilitating illegal activities at international entry points. The operation resulted in the arrest of 27 individuals, including 18 enforcement officers, across Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Selangor. Authorities also froze 57 bank accounts containing approximately RM2.7 million.

In another major enforcement action, Ops Tiger, 49 individuals, including current and former officers of several banking institutions, were charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court between Nov 7 and Nov 26 for allegedly accepting bribes to expedite housing loan approvals.

The MACC also dismantled a large-scale scrap metal smuggling network under Ops Metal, conducted on July 14 across five states. The syndicate was believed to have caused export tax losses exceeding RM950 million. The operation, carried out by the MACC Special Operations Division through a Multi-Agency Task Force, led to the seizure of assets worth more than RM183 million at 18 locations.

In Sabah, Ops Karen on Sept 2 saw the seizure of five vessels and 4.21 million liters of diesel in Beluran and ESSCOM waters. Assets valued at RM32.07 million were confiscated, and bank accounts worth RM25 million were frozen.

Meanwhile, Ops Grip on Sept 29 targeted a tire smuggling syndicate and document forgery operation. The MACC seized 17,672 tires and six warehouses and froze bank accounts totalling around RM70 million.

The commission also launched Ops Kembali following a viral video allegedly linked to bribery involving a former senior political secretary to the prime minister. Three individuals were detained between Nov 27 and 28, with businessman Albert Tei and Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin later charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Dec 4.

Under Ops Sky, 16 individuals, including current and former banking officers, were charged. Investigators seized approximately 4,000 documents and froze 98 bank accounts containing RM17.4 million.

Overall, the MACC recorded seizures of RM566.77 million under the MACC Act 2009 and RM6.26 billion under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. An additional RM36.14 million in assets was frozen as of Nov 30.

During the same period, the commission received 6,114 intelligence reports, opened 966 investigation papers, arrested 1,128 individuals, filed 445 charges, and secured 189 convictions, underscoring its intensified efforts to curb corruption nationwide.