PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is estimated to have lost some RM277bil over the past six years due to graft involving public funds, according to statistics from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the commission estimated that the colossal sum was lost to theft and leakage of public funds, underscoring the need for a more aggressive and high-impact enforcement approach.
Speaking on the MACC’s Sembang Tamu podcast, Azam said the commission would continue to prioritise high-profile and large-scale cases, particularly those involving the loss of national assets, as part of comprehensive efforts to eradicate corrupt practices that harm the government.
“Critical corruption issues persist even though there is hope that they may decline. Therefore, MACC must continue to mobilise its manpower and resources to ensure that efforts to recover assets and bring perpetrators to justice are carried out effectively,” he said on Wednesday (Jan 14).
Azam also praised the dedication shown by MACC officers, saying they continue to work tirelessly despite facing pressure and attacks on social media.
He stressed that MACC’s role goes beyond enforcement and operations and includes preventive efforts to educate the public, especially the younger generation.
“Educating nearly 18 million people, based on data on vehicle licence holders, is not an easy task. However, the prevention sector must play a more aggressive role and implement high-impact programmes, as there is a great deal of inaccurate information on social media that can influence public perception,” he said.
On perceptions and online criticism, Azam noted that while perceptions cannot be prevented, they must be managed swiftly and effectively through monitoring and strategic responses.
He added that MACC’s Strategic Communications Division has been instructed to remain vigilant in monitoring sentiments and comments related to MACC on social media platforms to ensure they are managed more effectively.
