MACC arrests 36 senior civil servants since 2021; RM22m in bribes involved

THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested 36 senior civil servants from the Top Management Group between 2021 and 31 January this year, involving bribes amounting to more than RM22 million.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said that of the total arrests, 20 charges have been brought, with the value of bribes involved amounting to RM22,004,505. Eight cases have resulted in convictions.

Addressing the Dewan Negara, Shamsul Anuar said the Home Ministry is taking firm steps to ensure that governance within its agencies, particularly those linked to national security, remains robust and uncompromised.

"Regarding the ministry’s planning to ensure that governance within agencies continues to function effectively, especially when it involves aspects of national security, the Home Ministry implements several key measures, among them enforcing a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and misconduct, particularly within enforcement agencies, in order to preserve integrity and reputation.

"This approach involves strict action, disciplinary monitoring and increased use of technology such as body cameras to prevent abuse of power by enforcement personnel," he said during the question-and-answer session.

He was responding to a question from Datuk Nelson W Angang, who sought the latest statistics on corruption cases involving senior government officials, the total value of seizures, and the Home Ministry’s plans to ensure that governance processes within the relevant agencies continue to operate effectively.

Shamsul Anuar said disciplinary and legal action would be taken firmly in accordance with the law, regardless of rank or position, where there is strong evidence, in order to safeguard the integrity, image and reputation of the ministry.

He added that the ministry also welcomed the government’s latest initiative through the introduction of the Integrity and Governance Management System (SPINE), which serves as a complement to existing efforts to strengthen governance across all government departments and agencies.

"The implementation of SPINE in all ministries, departments and government agencies at both Federal and state levels serves as a self-assessment mechanism to evaluate the level of integrity, governance and anti-corruption within public sector organisations in order to identify gaps for improvement and strengthen efficiency, transparency and accountability in the delivery of public services," he said. - March 2, 2026