20/05/2025

TUESDAY | MAY 20, 2025

5

Boost to anti-corruption efforts

o Newly formed group to provide coordinated framework to align work in addressing complex financial crimes: MACC chief commissioner

“Fraudulent activities are often concealed behind falsified business documents, proxy companies or disguised as business expenses, such as consultancy fees, entertainment costs or development charges. These layered transactions make tracing the real money trail difficult. “The typology of corruption today is more complex than ever. Alarmingly, many fraud cases are embedded within accounting and auditing processes. “When these systems lack transparency or are managed by individuals with weak integrity, they fail as protective gatekeepers and instead enable wrongdoing.” Azam said Malaysia lost an estimated RM277 billion to corruption between 2018 and 2023, an average of RM55 billion a year, describing the amount as “alarming”. “A 2023 study by think tank Emir Research, which also looked at data from various public reports, estimated that total losses reached RM4.5 trillion from 1997 to 2022.” He underscored the need for a coordinated national response. “Government agencies can no longer operate in silos. This

working a coordinated framework to align efforts in addressing these complex financial crimes. “It will also function as an early warning system to detect leakage in public procurement and fund distribution while promoting reforms for transparent and accountable financial reporting.” He described the group as a potential “game changer” in strengthening Malaysia’s financial governance, characterising financial statement fraud as “one of the gravest forms of corruption”. “This type of fraud creates false impressions of financial health to conceal embezzlement or inflate performance, making it highly calculated and damaging. “While enforcement is crucial, prevention through stronger internal controls and early detection systems is equally important. Even preventing RM10 billion in annual leakage would be a significant achievement.” He added that the group’s diverse expertise is particularly valuable for cross-border asset recovery, which involves tracing funds internationally and coordinating with foreign group provides

authorities, which are capabilities that individual agencies may lack. Auditor-General Datuk Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi described accounting fraud as a serious threat to institutional credibility and the efficiency of public spending. She said the formation of the working group reflects a strong commitment to reform, addressing long-standing issues highlighted in the auditor-general’s reports, including procurement violations and governance failures. She stressed the importance of structured oversight, advanced training and the adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics to detect and deter fraud. The working group will function as a policy think tank, proposing reforms to enhance financial governance and accountability. At the launch, representatives from participating agencies signed a joint declaration pledging to cooperate on investigations, share technical expertise and conduct joint training initiatives to uphold integrity.

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesunday.com

and cooperation with foreign authorities involved.” Speaking at the group’s launch at the Royale Chulan Hotel in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, he said a multidisciplinary approach is vital to move the investigation forward efficiently. “The 1MDB case exemplifies how financial statement fraud can be deeply intricate, involving account manipulation, fictitious transactions and collusion with auditors.” Led by MACC, the Accounting Fraud Working Group comprises the National Audit Department, Accountant-General’s Department, Companies Commission of Malaysia, Inland Revenue Board, Malaysian Institute of Accountants and Universiti Teknologi Mara. Azam said modern financial crimes are growing in sophistication, requiring equally advanced responses.

KUALA LUMPUR:

The newly

established

Accounting

Fraud

Working bolster anti-corruption efforts in Malaysia, providing expert support for investigations and asset recovery in complex financial fraud cases, including the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki described the 1MDB case as “very messy”, involving substantial assets that demand specialised forensic expertise. “Many of the stolen assets are abroad. Without help from certain experts, it would take us even longer to recover the money. “There is a lot of tracing, analyses Group will

Increase in Syariah Court divorce cases ISKANDAR PUTERI: The total number of divorce cases filed in the Syariah Court in Johor increased from 7,174 in 2023 to 7,306 last year. State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said: “Divorce claims or applications rose to 4,264 cases last year from 4,042 in 2023, while claims for the validation of lafaz cerai (divorce pronouncements) increased to 2,462 cases in 2024 from 2,416 in 2023.” He was replying to a question from Marina Ibrahim (PH-Skudai) regarding data from the Religious Office on cases of failure to provide nafkah (maintenance) following divorce, during the Johor legislative assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar yesterday. He added that fasakh (annulment) claims recorded a drop to 545 cases in 2024 from 675 cases in 2023, applications for confirmation of cerai taklik (divorce by condition) dipped to 27 cases last year from 33 in 2023, and applications for khuluk (a specific type of divorce initiated by a wife) remained at eight cases last year. – Bernama Housewife loses RM150,000 to scam KUALA TERENGGANU: A housewife has lost more than RM150,000 after falling victim to a scam syndicate offering a non-existent job. Kuala Terengganu police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor said the 30-year-old victim had come across an online job offer on social media on May 9 and expressed interest in the opportunity. He said the victim was instructed to make hotel room bookings using a link provided by the syndicate and was promised a 10% commission based on the amount spent. “Excited after receiving a commission from the first task, she caried out several more assignments.” Azli said the victim, who used her father’s business capital, started to panic after the commission payments failed to materialise. Her attempts to contact the syndicate were unsuccessful, prompting her to lodge a police report on Sunday. The case is being probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code. – Bernama

READY TO SERVE ... Policemen from the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department assemble in Kuala Lumpur yesterday prior to deployment for duty during the 46th Asean Summit. – BERNAMAPIC

Elephant tragedy puts spotlight on patrol volunteer IPOH: A widely spread image of a mother elephant mourning her calf that was killed by a lorry on the East-West Highway on May 11 has stirred the nation and brought volunteer Mohd Amir Faizal into the spotlight on social media. “After pulling her from the car, a male elephant suddenly emerged from the forest nearby. Thankfully, we managed to get her into another vehicle and to safety.” from criticism. While he receives praise from many quarters, he also faces sarcastic and disparaging remarks on social media that are enough to make him consider stepping away from his volunteer work, Bernama reported. “I have read the insulting and sarcastic comments. Sometimes, it gets to me and I think about quitting.

The father of four said he conducts patrols at least 15 times a month, depending on his availability, and receives alerts through phone calls or social media. He usually leaves his home in Bandar Seri Astana, Sungai Petani at 10am and arrives in Batu Melintang, Jeli by 1pm before heading back, a journey of roughly 400km. “I do not do this every day. It depends on my free time and the reports I receive. I do not have a fixed return time either. Sometimes, I get home in the evening. Other times, it can be at midnight. “As for transportation, I either ride my motorcycle or drive my car. I always carry essential tools, such as a chainsaw, emergency kit, fire extinguisher and jumper cables to help road users in need.” However, his efforts have not been free

Mohd Amir, 47, is a member of the Sungai Petani Response Team volunteer squad that assisted authorities in relocating the grieving elephant. For the past two years, the trader has been volunteering to help East-West Highway road users, often sharing information on elephant behaviour and offering safety tips for travellers on the wildlife encounter prone highway. Aside from guiding elephants away during patrols, he also lends a hand during vehicle breakdowns, crashes and natural disasters along the 123km route connecting Jeli in Kelantan and Gerik in Perak. “The most unforgettable experience was last year when I helped rescue a woman who was involved in a collision.

“But I just cannot bring myself to stop. The thought of how difficult it is for road users to get help during crashes, breakdowns or running out of fuel keeps me going,” said Mohd Amir, who recites Prophet Sulaiman’s prayers and zikr during his volunteer work. Although he might seem accustomed to dealing with elephant threats, he said he still feels nervous. “In my observation, body movements such as flared ears and slightly raised tails are signs that an elephant may act aggressively,” he said, adding that the East-West Highway is a known crossing point for other wild animals, including tigers, black panthers and sun bears.