PETALING JAYA: Focusing on grand corruption and the return of misappropriated national assets by the country’s anti-graft agency will not only reinforce public trust but will also strengthen civil governance, say anti-graft watch groups.
Transparency International-Malaysia president Dr Muhammad Mohan said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s planned move for next year is expected to bolster public trust and promote good governance, especially in the public sector.
“MACC’s strategy to focus on grand corruption in 2025 is a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in the country.
“This comprehensive approach, coupled with international cooperation and impactful prevention programmes, shows a strong commitment to eradicating corruption,” he said when contacted.
Muhammad said for MACC’s plan to work, ministry secretaries-general must give their full cooperation and implement the commission’s recommendations to put an end to any potential corruption or leakages in the public sector.
Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Centre) chief executive officer Pushpan Murugiah said public procurement has long been a major source of grand corruption in Malaysia, often implicating high-profile individuals and politicians.
“Despite numerous exposes and legal proceedings, accountability remains elusive. Scandals such as the Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and Scorpene submarine cases are stark reminders of this persistent issue,” he said.
Pushpan said in Malaysia, grand corruption is often “intricate and sophisticated”, far exceeding the scope of the current offences under MACC.
“To tackle grand corruption, we must first analyse its manifestations and identify the legal and institutional gaps that hinder effective action.”
On MACC’s intention to revamp some of its approaches to prevent from falling into a comfort zone, Pushpan pointed out that the civil society has consistently highlighted the urgent need for structural reforms to ensure the commission’s independence.
The existing framework, he said, fuels the perception that the commission’s functions are influenced by the executive.
He said for MACC to operate without fear or favour, it must be truly independent and this requires instituting a fair and transparent appointment process that eliminates external control or influence over its officers.
Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman, who is a member of the Special Committee on Corruption, said MACC’s plans are a step in the right direction as grand corruption often involves significant amounts of public funds and undermines trust in governance.
She said apart from enforcement, there is also a need to foster a national culture of accountability and transparency.
“I look forward to seeing the MACC’s plans translate into tangible results for the nation.”
Young Syefura said efforts must also be made to ensure the agency operates freely without political interference.
“We also need to protect whistleblowers who report cases and enhance public trust and accountability. This should also include engaging civil societies to provide independent oversight,” Young Syefura said.
One step to prevent procurement scandals is to improve the e-procurement system, she added.
“Digitising procurement processes can increase transparency, reduce human interference, and create audit trails. For one, the ePerolehan system should be strengthened to eliminate loopholes” she said.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the agency’s main focus for next year will be combating grand corruption and ensuring the return of more misappropriated national assets and funds to the country.
The agency also plans to eradicate corruption in procurement and enforcement, transform its structure and to empower the functions and roles of each division to be more effective in carrying out its duties.
