KUALA LUMPUR (June 23): More than three months after the Cabinet ordered enforcement agencies to conduct a detailed probe into allegations of a “corporate mafia” involving the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), there has been only scant progress so far.
When pressed in Parliament, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the matter remains under investigation by the police.
However, she did not elaborate on whether MACC is directly involved in the investigation.
“The MACC is always ready to examine and investigate any information that has a basis and sufficient evidence, in accordance with the provisions of the applicable laws,” Azalina said in a written parliamentary reply on Monday (June 22).
She was responding to Datuk Ismail Abd Muttalib (PN-Maran), who asked the prime minister to confirm whether any officers or individuals linked to the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) had been arrested or investigated by the MACC over alleged abuse of power and protection of cartels or a “corporate mafia” in the financial sector.
The “corporate mafia” allegations were first raised in a Bloomberg report in February, which accused the anti-graft agency of allegedly aiding a group of businessmen in taking control of public listed companies. Both former MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki and the commission have denied the claims.
DAP, the largest party in the unity government, has called for a full investigation through a Royal Commission of Inquiry.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said on March 11 that the Cabinet had instructed enforcement agencies to carry out a detailed probe into the allegations.
In April, Inspector General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said investigations had found no evidence linking the MACC to the allegations, while noting that probes are ongoing and several individuals have been identified for questioning, both in Malaysia and abroad.
Malaysia’s capital market regulator, the SC, has also said it cannot act on the allegations as they fall outside securities laws.
Asset declarations, reforms
Separately, Azalina said all MACC officers have been instructed to update their asset declarations within one month.
The move is in line with the Public Service Department’s latest circular on asset ownership guidelines, including shares, securities and digital assets among civil servants.
She added that the MACC chief commissioner has already begun the process as an example.
Azalina also said the MACC is enhancing its use of data analytics, transaction monitoring and strategic intelligence, while expanding cooperation with domestic and international enforcement agencies.
“The comprehensive measures are aimed at ensuring the MACC is seen by the public as an independent, transparent, professional and credible institution, while restoring confidence in the country’s anti-corruption efforts,” she said.
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