THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) stressed its priority in ensuring that money from corrupt-related crimes is returned to the people through a legitimate legal process.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the MACC's job is to seize and forfeit the proceeds of crime to the government under the Ministry of Finance (MOF).
"What is important to us is to return the money stolen from the people back to them.
"The decision on the spending of confiscated money is entirely within the jurisdiction of the government.
"How the money is spent by the government is their decision," he said.
Azam said the government and MOF have their own mechanisms in determining the management and use of the funds.
"It is not our (MACC) responsibility to ensure where the money is spent. That is the MOF's job," he said.
The media previously reported that during the period from January 1 to December 31, 2025, MACC recorded great success when it successfully seized and recovered corruption proceeds totalling more than RM8.5 billion.
Of the total, freezing and confiscation recorded the highest value of RM6.95 billion, followed by settlements totalling RM1.5 billion, compounds of RM49.7 million and forfeiture of RM8.1 million. – February 3, 2026
