KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) seized, froze, and forfeited assets and issued compounds worth over RM285 million last year in an effort to combat crimes involving corruption.
Its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said it proved that the law enforcement carried out by the commission was effective and showed that the MACC was not only investigating but also restoring the rights of the people who had been betrayed.
The MACC's investigation and recovery of assets were not easy and required diligence, wisdom, cooperation, and collaboration from other countries, as well as the involvement of the media to provide balanced, informative, and confidence-providing coverage to the people.
"For the first quarter of this year, MACC recorded the largest asset seizure value of RM177 million involving cash and gold bars related to the investigation against former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob," he said at the MACC Media Awards Night last night.
Also present was the Deputy Chief Commissioner of MACC Datuk Azmi Kamaruzaman and the Malaysian National News Agency’s Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj
Azam added that the commission will continue to strengthen its focus on large-scale, high-profile, and public-interest corruption cases.
He said MACC investigations were always conducted with independent, transparent and professional principles based on the law and without any political interference.
"The investigation of high-profile cases proves that the MACC acts without fear or favour, regardless of whether the individuals involved are former top leaders of the country, state elected representatives or even directors of large companies," Azam said.
This is to ensure that every sen resulting from corrupt and irregular practices could be returned to the people.
— Bernama
