MARITIME industry expert Datuk Seri R. Jeyenderan has called for clearer timelines and communication for investigations, saying regular updates could give complainants and businesses greater certainty while allowing enforcement agencies sufficient time to establish the facts.
Jeyenderan said authorities should be given adequate time to conduct thorough investigations, while complainants could also be kept informed about the general status and eventual outcome of their reports, subject to operational and legal considerations.
He said this was particularly relevant to cases involving businesses and matters that could have implications for regulatory compliance, government revenue and the wider maritime sector.
“I received automated emails and SMS messages from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) indicating that my report was under action. However, since June, I have not received a substantive written update on its status.
“The MACC is a highly professional, well-respected and efficient organisation, and I firmly believe they will take the appropriate action.
“However, the uncertainty has made it difficult for the businesses concerned to make commercial decisions and plan their operations,” he said.
Jeyenderan, who has more than 30 years experience in the maritime industry, said the absence of a detailed written update had also made it difficult for him to determine whether the investigation had progressed or whether further information or documentation was required from him.
He stressed that his comments were not intended to interfere with the MACC's work or its investigative processes.
Jeyenderan said he highly respected the commission's role and had cooperated with its officers by providing documents and information when requested.
The report was lodged on June 5 concerning alleged discrepancies between bills of lading and the reported physical movement of petroleum cargo at Tanjung Langsat Port, Johor.
Jeyenderan had previously said that, if the concerns raised were substantiated, they could have wider implications for regulatory compliance, government revenue and confidence in Malaysia's maritime and petroleum sectors.
However, he stressed that the matters raised remained subject to investigation and that lodging a report did not establish that any offence had been committed.
“My concern is not to interfere with or pressure investigators, but to encourage an efficient process while ensuring that complainants receive appropriate information where it can be provided,” he said.
Jeyenderan said clearer procedures for communicating with complainants, including appropriate updates and documentation of outcomes, could help strengthen public confidence in enforcement agencies.
He added that greater clarity could also provide businesses with more certainty while preserving the independence and discretion of enforcement authorities in conducting investigations.
Jeyenderan said MACC had previously informed him that the report had been received and referred to its Information Assessment Committee, after which the matter proceeded for further assessment or investigation.
He said he was subsequently informed that the matter remained under review. – September 8, 2026
