PUTRAJAYA: Those who are found guilty of corruption should be declared bankrupt to stop them from enjoying stolen public funds, says Tan Sri Azam Baki.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner proposed such a firm approach as part of the anti-graft body’s measure to intensify efforts to recover misappropriated national assets.
"As I have frequently mentioned, these offenders are those who steal the country's wealth. They must be punished, and these assets must be returned to the people.
"I have said before that we need to bankrupt them so they cannot enjoy what they have stolen.
“The efforts to trace and recover the nation's money and assets from offenders will also be intensified," he said at the opening ceremony of the International Anti-Corruption Day 2025 celebration at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) here, on Friday (Dec 5).
Azam also said the strategy would continue to be driven next year, in line with the commitment to reducing leakages and tackling corruption comprehensively.
“Society today is increasingly aware and discerning, and is therefore demanding new and more effective approaches in operations, prevention, and anti-corruption education at all levels.
“Outdated approaches must be transformed. Even if certain new methods are only one or two years old, they may no longer be relevant in the coming years,” he added.
Azam said MACC officers’ capabilities and expertise will continue to be improved through adapting modern investigative techniques.
He said the move would also be strengthened through strategic cooperation with domestic and foreign agencies to trace assets that have been stolen or lost.
