KUALA LUMPUR: Some RM15.5bil in cash and assets were recovered in the last three years by a multi-agency task force targeting corruption and illegal activities, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the amount, recorded from 2023 to 2025, was a sharp jump from previous years and reflected improved coordination among enforcement bodies.
He said the task force brings together the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and Bank Negara Malaysia.
Not all agencies were involved in every case, he added, but most were called in when dealing with high-profile or large-scale matters.
"Although action was taken previously, the scale was not what we have seen after 2023," he told the Dewan Rakyat during Prime Minister’s Question Time on Tuesday (March 3).
"For example, in 2018, recovered cash and assets totalled RM37mil, while in 2019 it was RM1.2bil.
"From 2023 to 2025, with the efforts of MACC and the other agencies I mentioned, it reached RM15.5bil," said Anwar, who is also Finance Minister.
He said the aggressive push against corruption and illicit activities has contributed to an improvement in Malaysia’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) score, and stressed that the government intends to maintain the momentum.
"This has helped improve our CPI standing. Measures will continue through information-sharing and close cooperation among the enforcement bodies," he said.
Anwar noted that most of the major syndicates targeted had been operating for decades, but sustained efforts to dismantle them were only made in recent years.
"Action at this scale has only really taken off since 2023. These syndicates have been entrenched for many years. That is why I began by expressing appreciation to the enforcement agencies.
"When they take action, they understand the level of commitment and risk involved in breaking up these large syndicates," he said.
As examples, he cited recent high-profile cases including graft charges brought against two Sabah assemblymen; the prosecution of a former senior political secretary to the prime minister in December; the charging of four senior Armed Forces officers in January over alleged abuse of position, criminal breach of trust, money laundering and receipt of valuable items; as well as the investigation and arrest of the director-general and deputy director-general of the Environment Department in January.
"These cases show that our determination to carry out our duties is more evident and clear under the Madani government’s governance framework," he said.
Anwar added that while there have been calls to tighten oversight on enforcement bodies, the government is open to strengthening controls and monitoring mechanisms where necessary to safeguard institutional integrity and public confidence.
