MORE than RM15.5bil in assets and cash linked to corruption, smuggling and financial crimes have been recovered over the past two years through stronger and coordinated enforcement, with over 20 cases already brought to court, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The amount comprised RM8bil in forfeited assets collected by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), RM4bil in seizures by the police, RM2.5bil by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and RM1bil in penalties imposed by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry together with the Malaysia Competition Commission, he said.
The Prime Minister said agencies were now taking on “big cartels and major syndicates”, including scam operators and smugglers who had evaded action for decades.
“These aren’t small players. Some have operated for 10 to 20 years and were considered untouchable because of their wealth and influence,” he said.
As for the recovery of assets and cash, Anwar said that the haul reflected the results of a more aggressive, cross-agency approach to tackling long-standing leakages and criminal networks.
“The combined enforcement efforts have been intensified over the last two years and will certainly continue. If there had been no effective enforcement, we wouldn’t have seen the recovery of RM15.5bil.
“As far as I know, this is the most effective operation in our history,” he said during Prime Minister’s Question Time in reply to Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng (BN–Tanjung Piai), who asked about large-scale enforcement and whether offenders had been prosecuted.
Anwar said the first phase of an operation involved investigations and seizures, followed by the prosecution stage once the Attorney General finalises the charges.
“More than 20 cases have already been charged, and others are still at various stages in court,” he said.
Anwar said the government had given enforcement bodies full authority to act collectively rather than in silos.
“In the past, each agency worked separately – the MACC, customs, police, the Inland Revenue Board and the Domestic Trade Ministry.
“Now they share information and act firmly without fear or favour,” he said.
Anwar expressed appreciation to the agencies involved for their coordinated efforts.
“From the end of 2023 until 2025, we managed to prevent losses and recover funds totalling RM15.5bil. This is no small figure,” he said.
“These include cash, property, shares and corporate assets. The recovered money has been placed in the government’s consolidated fund and will be spent on budget allocations – for education, defence, health and other sectors.”
Anwar added that enforcement agencies were now equipped with tools such as digital tax stamps, centralised cargo screening systems, CCTV networks and body cameras.
“These measures are crucial. For years, syndicates operated freely – some for two decades – because enforcement was weak. Now, we are serious about cleaning up the system,” he said.
Responding to a question from Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (PN–Tanjong Karang) on the status of 1MDB asset recovery, Anwar said efforts were ongoing, with an additional RM1bil recently brought back to Malaysia.
“The total repatriated now exceeds RM32.7bil, and the process is continuing in several jurisdictions, including London,” he said.
When Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah (PN–Langkawi) suggested that part of the recovered funds be channelled to NGOs involved in anti-drug efforts, Anwar said it was a “good proposal” and would be considered.
“I agree in principle. Perhaps not 10%, but a certain portion could be set aside for rehabilitation work through NGOs.”
He said that drug seizures amounted to about RM2bil, adding that most of the narcotics had to be destroyed.
