BANGI: The length of investigations for high profile graft cases have been successfully shortened through increasing the skills of officers and use of latest technology, says Tan Sri Azam Baki.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner said it used to take from a year to one and a half years to complete a high profile investigation but now, officers are able to do so within six months.
"This is credit to our approach focusing on equipping our officers with the necessary skills and use of the latest technology.
"While we have received more than 30,000 reports since 2020, increasing the number of officers is not the answer.
"To be frank, I do not see adding a large number of MACC officers as the solution to effectively combat corruption in this country.
“In the past, one high-profile case could take us up to one and a half years to complete the investigation papers but now, we can complete them within six months," he told reporters after attending the second MACC Law Enforcement Accreditation Programme Convocation ceremony on Thursday (June 12).
Azam said people can expect announcements in the coming weeks of several high-profile cases to be brought to court as proof of how quickly MACC is now able to conclude investigations in a much shorter timeframe.
Elaborating further on expediting investigations, Azam said among the main factors are improving investigation modules and systems.
"In terms of investigation modules, we will do away with outdated elements. We will find ways to use relevant laws to expedite the investigation.
"We also equip our officers with necessary enhanced skills and knowledge," he said.
The other factor is the use of the latest technology in the course of investigations, Azam said.
"For example, about 10 years ago, we needed to dispatch many officers to conduct surveillance. But now, we just use technology to locate suspects and witnesses.
"So, in a very short period of time, we can locate the suspect or the person we want to find,” he said.
Azam said the MACC also collaborates with various parties in efforts to increase their investigation capability, especially in technical and forensic accounting aspects.
"For example, we cooperated with the Malaysia Institute of Accountants to assist in asset tracing and forensic accounting.
"We also form international cooperation to assist with our investigations," he added.
