17/02/2026

TUESDAY | FEB 17, 2026

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MACC does not have immunity from scrutiny: King PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian

Face of organised crime in Malaysia changing: Expert PETALING JAYA: Organised crime in Malaysia is changing, with more complex and less visible criminal networks that intersect with the economy more obvious today than visible gang wars, said criminologist Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid. She said public concern often spikes after high-profile incidents, with media coverage shaping perceptions of safety. “When we look at official statistics in Malaysia, we don’t see clear evidence of a dramatic increase in organised crime or traditional gangsterism. “What we are seeing, however, is a shift in how organised crime rings operate,” said the Universiti Malaya Faculty of Law senior lecturer. She said instead of territorial dominance, criminal organisations are increasingly networked and economically focused. “Some organisations operate under cultural or patriotic fronts. It is less visible than before. “We see networked, economically driven activities such as financial crimes, online scams, trafficking networks and cross-border operations, which may not always appear in conventional crime data.” She added that the evolution extends beyond street-level activity. Haezreena highlighted that organised crime increasingly overlaps with legitimate business structures. “Internationally, there is strong evidence that organised crime intersects with legitimate business. It is rarely a dramatic ‘takeover’ scenario. “More often, it involves shell companies, procurement manipulation, regulatory loopholes or collusive arrangements.” She alao said in developing and middle income economies, especially those managing large infrastructure projects, governance weaknesses could create opportunities for exploitation. “The link between corruption vulnerabilities and enforcement effectiveness is very close. “If enforcement agencies are perceived as vulnerable to political interference or lack institutional independence, networks can adapt quickly. “Crime control is not just about policing. It relies on governance integrity, transparency, institutional autonomy and proper oversight.” For Haezreena, the central question is institutional resilience rather than an increase in crime. “The broader issue is whether our institutions are resilient enough to respond to increasingly sophisticated forms of criminal organisation. “Public concern often reflects deeper anxieties about governance and accountability, not just crime statistics alone.” She said these anxieties have grown amid renewed public attention on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and its leadership. Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said public perception is critical for trust in institutions. “Since day one, the prime minister’s objective has been to reduce corrupt practices that have been longstanding,” said Azmi, referring to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s reform agenda. “I think Anwar and (MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki) work well together. “That is why Azam’s contract was renewed during Anwar’s tenure.” He acknowledged that allegations and political discussion could influence public discourse. “The recent scrutiny involving the MACC chief is unfortunate, given the sensitivity of the position. “Public confidence in key institutions can be affected, which has wider implications.” Azmi added that handling such matters in a timely and transparent manner would help maintain public trust. – By Harith Kamal

who are unable to carry out their entrusted responsibilities with honesty, give the opportunity to those who are more qualified and clean to undertake that responsibility,” said Sultan Ibrahim. – by Kirtinee Ramesh

not be superficial or merely rhetorical. He added that officers who fail to carry out their duties with integrity should be swiftly replaced. “I have other alternatives. If there are officers

Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is not immune from scrutiny under the nation’s anti-graft campaign, said His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim. His also revealed that more individuals are now “on his radar” in a no-compromise mission to root out corruption across all government departments and agencies. In a post on the Facebook page of the Royal Press Office yesterday, the King stressed that the fight against corruption is far-reaching and that no one, regardless of rank, influence or office, is above the law. “Do not think that fighting corruption is focused only on certain departments or merely on those who give and receive (bribes),” said Sultan Ibrahim. His Majesty also said enforcement agencies, including the police force, Immigration Department and Customs Department are being monitored closely. “The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is not excluded either,” he added firmly. Sultan Ibrahim also made it clear that intermediaries, suppliers of equipment, uniforms and medical supplies are not beyond scrutiny. “Regardless of your rank, you are also within my radar,” he said, invoking the Malay proverb siapa makan cili, dia terasa pedas to underline that no wrongdoing escapes his attention. “Do not think I am unaware. I have my own intelligence sources.” Highlighting the need for systemic reform, His Majesty said anti-corruption efforts must

Police keeping a close watch as protesters gather near Sogo KL on Sunday to demand the resignation of MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

‘Reforms in battle against graft remain incomplete’

sensitive cases. He identified structural reforms still needed to protect anti-corruption efforts from individual personalities. According to him, these include full separation of the attorney-general and public prosecutor roles, strengthening of MACC’s appointment and oversight mechanisms with parliamentary confirmation and fixed non-renewable terms, comprehensive political financing laws, robust whistleblower protections aligned with the United Nations Convention against Corruption standards, enforceable procurement safeguards with open contracting and integrity pacts as well as a federal freedom of information regime balancing transparency with national security. On concrete steps the government could take, Ram said anti-corruption institutions must be shielded from political influence while remaining accountable to Parliament. “Effective models combine operational independence, secure tenure, transparent appointment and removal processes as well as clear parliamentary oversight.” He added that preventing and detecting graft are shared responsibilities but primary accountability rests with the state. “The government’s executive branch is responsible for running enforcement agencies and overseeing procurement while the prosecution service and judiciary must operate independently. “Parliament must provide oversight, and civil society as well as the media should remain free to hold authorities accountable. “Malaysia is stabilising under reform pressure. “It is not yet a decisive institutional leap forward but the foundation is there, provided reforms are completed and insulated from political influence.”

o Without structural insulation of enforcement and prosecution from executive influence, improvements may plateau rather than accelerate: NGO president

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

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political interference. “It does not measure arrests or headlines but institutional credibility,” said Ram. He credited Malaysia’s incremental CPI gains to several reforms introduced in recent years, adding that these include the Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act 2023, amendments to the Audit Act and Companies Act in 2024 to enhance oversight and beneficial ownership transparency, the Parliamentary Service Act 2025 in restoring legislative autonomy, the Government Procurement Bill and ongoing efforts to separate the roles of the attorney-general and public prosecutor. He added that leadership-level controversies continue to influence perception. “Allegations involving MACC leadership have prompted the establishment of a special committee chaired by the attorney general but that credibility depends on independent, time-bound and transparent verification rather than internal assurances alone. “Leadership-level probes affect perception significantly, not because allegations alone determine outcomes but because the transparency and independence of the accountability process determine institutional legitimacy.” Ram said MACC’s appointment framework, currently under the prime minister’s advice, creates a perception of vulnerability, particularly in politically

PETALING JAYA: Recent controversies surrounding the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) have thrown the country’s anti-graft fight into the spotlight, raising urgent questions about institutional independence and the unfinished nature of reforms, according to Transparency International Malaysia president Raymon Ram. “Recent events do not necessarily indicate regression but they reinforce the fact that reforms remain incomplete. “Without structural insulation of enforcement and prosecution from executive influence, improvements may plateau rather than accelerate,” said Ram. Malaysia’s performance in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) paints a cautiously optimistic picture. The country scored 52 out of 100 in the CPI, ranking 54th out of 182 nations, a modest two-point increase from 2024. Over the past five years, scores have risen gradually from 48 in 2021 to 52 in 2025. While this reflects stabilisation rather than a structural breakthrough, it comes amid a declining global average CPI, which fell to 42, the first drop in more than a decade. “The CPI measures perceptions of public sector corruption. It reflects whether institutions, particularly enforcement and the justice chain, are seen as independent,