Latest news with #RM177mil
The Star
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Azam: Deferred prosecution will be used in high-profile cases
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki speaking to the media during the MACC's Executive Talk session in Putrajaya yesterday. PUTRAJAYA: Graft busters are pushing for the Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) to be introduced as soon as possible to boost the fight against corruption and recovery of assets in high-profile cases. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki (pic)said the Special Cabinet Committee on National Governance, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is expected to meet in June to discuss the matter. 'We hope it will be introduced as the focus of the DPA is on the recovery of assets. 'The DPA has been used in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom,' he said during the MACC's Executive Talk with the media. Azam said the DPA will be used in cases involving grand corruption and corporate liabilities involving large amounts of funds. 'We will use it for high profile cases involving large amounts. 'For example, an accused in a grand corruption case involving RM177mil in funds. The DPA will be used to seize the funds so that it goes back to the government's coffers,' he added. The MACC has proposed that cases where DPA will be used must have justification to do so. 'We also proposed that when the DPA is to be used in certain cases, it must have the consensus of the deputy public prosecutor, who will review the justification for DPA to be used. 'We will definitely not use it for small-scale cases,' he said. Azam said he expects the proposed amendment to the MACC Act 2009, which will include the DPA mechanism, to be introduced in Parliament by the second quarter of next year. 'We hope it will be eventually passed and enforced,' he added. Azam has been proposing the DPA for some time, arguing that it will allow prosecutors to achieve outcomes more efficiently without lengthy and costly trials, and that it will help fight economic and financial crimes. It will also ensure faster recovery of assets and funds and better compliance by persons or entities to prevent future violations. On another matter, Azam said it is getting harder for authorities to detect transactions of illicit funds, as criminal entities are resorting to e-wallet platforms and cryptocurrencies. 'If they (criminal entities) use the usual bank transactions, we will be able to track them eventually. 'However, they are using these new transaction mechanisms. Some are also using money changers to transfer ill-gotten funds as well,' he added. Azam believes illicit funds from overseas that have flowed through Malaysia total about RM40bil. 'These illicit funds are derived from various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, smuggling and fraud. 'If we can recover at least RM10bil, it will benefit the country, but it requires efforts between law enforcement agencies and other government bodies,' he added. One of the best examples of repatriation of overseas assets and funds is the 1Malaysia Development Bhd case. 'We had good and lengthy discussions with international authorities that enabled us to repatriate funds and assets belonging to the country.'
The Star
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
MACC seized RM177mil of assets in Q1 of 2025, including from Ismail Sabri probe, says Azam Baki
(From left) MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki having a chat with Media Chinese International Limited Group editor-in-chief (Malaysia) Datuk Kuik Cheng Kang, Star Media Group chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng and Sinar Harian group chief editor Zamri Rambli.—Low Boon Tat / The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Some RM177mil worth of assets were seized in the first quarter of this year, says Tan Sri Azam Baki. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner said this was its biggest asset seizure to date, with it also involving the cash and gold bars related to investigations into former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. He said the commission also successfully froze, seized and made forfeitures amounting to more than RM285mil last year. 'The commission will continue focusing on grand corruption and public interest cases,' he said in his speech at the MACC media award night here on Friday (April 25). Azam also said the commission was strengthening its focus on large-scale, high-profile and public interest cases. Here, he referenced operations like Op Sky, Op X, Op Outlander and Op Birth. 'Across all operations, I stress that our investigations are carried out independently, transparently and professionally, without any political interference. 'High-profile investigations prove that the MACC acts without fear or favouritism, regardless of the individuals involved,' he said. Azam also expressed appreciation towards the media, saying the awards served to recognise the industry's contributions towards spreading the message of anti-corruption alongside highlighting government efforts in improving integrity and good governance. He also described the media as pillars in ensuring accurate information reaches the public. Also present were Star Media Group chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng and senior news editor Zulkifli Abd Rahman.
