THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has frozen, seized and returned a total of RM1.66 billion in proceeds from corruption, smuggling and money laundering to the government over the past two years.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said all the seizures involved assets, cash and valuables in various operations carried out by the Multi-Agency Task Force (MATF).
Over the past year, he said, a total of 34 civil servants and 27 civilians were also arrested in several operations to tackle corruption, smuggling and money laundering.
“Of that total, a total of 25 civil servants were successfully charged with 352 charges and eight people were subject to disciplinary action while the proceeds collected amounted to RM705.55 million,” he said.
This year, Azam said, the total amount of money returned to the government was RM960.73 million, as a result of six operations carried out together with the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) and the Securities Commission (SC).
“Among those uncovered were irregularities in the procurement of government contracts involving powdered milk with a total seizure of RM174.7 million through Ops White; Ops Knight for the durian investment fraud case in Raub, Pahang (RM16.15 million); Ops X for the cryptocurrency fraud case (RM28.6 million).
“Ops Sikaro for the cigarette and tobacco smuggling syndicate case involving the seizure of RM218 million; Ops Metal for the iron and e-waste smuggling syndicate case (RM332.5 million); Ops Karen for the diesel and petrol smuggling syndicate case (RM190.8 million),” he said.
He said the MACC is the main driving force behind the MATF with the responsibility of managing the collection of evidence, tracing the flow of money and assets and submitting requests for international legal assistance.
“The MACC is also working with the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) and the judiciary to seize assets both domestically and abroad, in addition to ensuring that assets that are successfully returned are placed in the 1MDB Recovery Trust Account,” he said.
In the latest operation in Sarawak, Azam said the MATF also obtained cooperation from the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).
“Highest appreciation and thanks to the Commander of the Army and the Commander of the Air Force for the assistance and close cooperation given to the MACC through the use of assets and the involvement of personnel in making this operation a success.
“Collaboration between agencies like this is very welcome because it plays an important role in efforts to combat all activities that can threaten Malaysia’s sovereignty,” he said. - September 22, 2025
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