MACC to focus on retrieving assets stolen by the corrupt: Azam

The MACC’s investigative and intelligence approach needs to be enhanced to track down assets stolen by corrupt criminals, said its chief commissioner Azam Baki.

He said MACC operations are focused not only on arresting corrupt offenders and prosecuting them in court but also on bankrupting them.

“This year alone we repatriated RM1.3 billion in criminal assets and that money was handed back to the government. If all law enforcement agencies mobilise their energy, in addition to arresting criminals and charging them in court, we can also confiscate the stolen property of such criminals.

“I want to make them bankrupt (corrupt criminals) and this can bring a ‘scare factor’ to them so they think many times before committing crimes related to corruption,” he added.

Azam (above) said the legal provisions under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 allow the commission to confiscate assets from criminals and return the stolen proceeds to the government.

He said such efforts require investigative and forensic officers to have a high level of knowledge and expertise.

“Imagine corrupt criminals park their property with a ‘proxy’, who knows. Therefore, our investigation and intelligence approach must be robust and empowered.

“Before investigating that person we need to identify assets that have been disposed of or if channelled to any party so that we can ensure these are (returned),” he said.

Collaborations with other agencies

Drawing the example of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd case, Azam said the agency’s hard work together with other agencies bore fruit when RM29 billion was returned to the government from the principal cost of RM42 billion.

The MACC has also set up task forces in other agencies like Bank Negara, the Customs Department, and the police to share expertise in syndicate cases.

In addition to enforcement, MACC also plays a role in prevention and community education through mainstream media and campaigns on social media.

“The use of social media is optimised in line with the needs of the community, for example, live stream debate programmes that allow the community to watch and understand,” said Azam.

He also said community education is delivered from the primary school level to universities, for example through the Anti-Corruption Student Group, which was started at Sultan Zainal Abidin University.

A more focused approach to giving and receiving bribes, corruption in procurement that causes large leakages, and large-scale corruption or ‘grand corruption’ is needed, he added.

Asked about foreign countries that can be used as an example, Azam said that apart from Hong Kong, the MACC also learned from other countries, including Qatar, which uses a fully digital system for traffic compound payments, reducing the probability of corruption.

He added that related agencies need to find ways to facilitate public affairs as part of the people’s service reform agenda, which will provide a better delivery system and avoid opportunities for corruption.

- Bernama

MACC nabs six for allegedly protecting smuggling activities

Ex-deputy minister went to Myanmar for real estate issues - police

Court sets 15 days for Hamzah's son's RM100k graft trial

Diesel smuggling: MACC arrests enforcement agency director

We followed the law on Daim’s son, says MACC

MACC urged to probe HR Ministry over Bangladeshi syndicate report