MACC Incorporates Advanced Technology To Combat Complex Corruption

By Mohd Firdaus Md Saisi

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is incorporating advanced technology into its investigative methods to address the growing complexity of corruption cases.

Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki stated that the commission’s investigative approach has become more streamlined and efficient over the past five years, using an open-source system that swiftly gathers information to build suspect profiles.

He said the system, which has been widely used abroad, allows the MACC to analyse the whereabouts of suspects and additional information required before further investigations are carried out.

"Our officers no longer need to conduct field surveillance of suspects, which is time-consuming. We have reduced the workforce in investigations while increasing the speed of inquiry, which has helped us significantly in prosecutions.

“We have streamlined our intelligence and investigation methods. Five years ago, we relied more heavily on field intelligence officers, but now we use our current system to analyse and track subjects or suspects,” he said during a special interview at his office recently, marking MACC’s 57th anniversary.

Azam explained that the technology enables investigations and intelligence gathering to be conducted more quickly, efficiently, and thoroughly, which has indirectly led to an increase in convictions.

He added that the commission is also training MACC officers in cybersecurity and cryptocurrency, as these have become the latest platforms criminals use to conceal their illicit gains from corruption.

“Our officers are being trained and equipped with the skills to detect cryptocurrency used to conceal illicit funds, enabling successful prosecution and recovery of the assets for the government,” he said.

Meanwhile, Azam noted that the MACC has formed the MACC Tactical Team (ACTS) to ensure the safety of its personnel during operations in high-risk and dangerous areas, such as the recent raid in Sibu, Sarawak.

He said the team comprises 20 officers equipped with the latest weapons and trained by VAT 69 Commandos in Perak.

Azam stressed that fighting corruption in the public sector remains the agency's top priority in preventing government fund leakages.

He noted that, according to MACC statistics from 2020 to 2024, the commission received 30,483 tip-offs related to corruption, with 17,892 cases, or 58 percent involving civil servants.

"During this period, MACC initiated 2,123 investigations and detained 2,046 civil servants. Of which, 1,036 were charged in court and 464 have been convicted," he said.

He listed that the offences included 1,124 cases of accepting bribes, 445 cases of making false claims, 19 cases of offering bribes, 320 cases of abuse of power, 57 cases of money laundering, 153 cases under the Penal Code, and five cases under other laws.

He stated that, in response to current developments, the MACC is prioritising cases related to enforcement, procurement, and grand corruption, noting that grand corruption is the leading cause of government revenue leakage, estimated at RM277 billion over the past five years.

Azam said that the MACC is now placing greater emphasis on investigating public interest cases, particularly those involving the conduct of groups of officers or enforcement personnel.

Throughout 2024, the MACC has conducted four major operations. The first, Op Samba, targeted smuggling activities at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), where over RM2 billion has been leaked over the past three years, resulting in charges against 23 customs officers.

“Op Transit focused on smuggling operations in Port Klang, which have led to a leakage of more than RM3.5 billion over the past decade. Additionally, Op Pump addressed immigration officers colluding with syndicates to facilitate the entry of foreigners through KLIA and KLIA2.

"Then there was Op Liter undertaken in Sibu, Sarawak, which uncovered the leakage of RM400 million since 2012 due to theft of subsidised diesel allocated to fishermen," he said.

Based on available information, approximately RM30 billion in revenue is lost to the black market due to criminal activities such as smuggling, gambling, and corruption. Therefore, enforcement agencies must make a concerted effort to recover these funds.

“Together with the Inland Revenue Board, we have successfully recovered RM500 million this year to be returned to the government. This is a positive catalyst. If more enforcement agencies work together, we can recover even more funds lost to criminal activities,” he said.

-- BERNAMA