Malaysia’s anti-graft agency seized over RM8.4 billion in 2025, uncovering high-profile cases involving politicians, banks, and enforcement officers.
KUALA LUMPUR: The year 2025 has been a landmark period for Malaysia’s anti-corruption efforts, marked by extensive investigations and major asset recoveries.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) recorded seizures and forfeitures totalling more than RM8.4 billion as of November 30.
A high-profile case involved former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, linked to alleged corruption and money laundering.
In early March, the MACC seized foreign currencies worth over RM169 million and 16 kilograms of gold bars from a safe house.
The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court allowed the forfeiture of these funds on October 1 after no party claimed them.
Enforcement agencies like the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and Immigration Department were also key targets.
Ops Airways at KLIA’s cargo area led to the arrest of 13 individuals, including six customs officers, in a vape smuggling case.
The operation seized 90,000 vape units with unpaid duties estimated at RM5.4 million, alongside frozen bank accounts and key documents.
Ops Rentas targeted a “counter setting” syndicate at KLIA that bypassed immigration checks for foreign nationals.
In August, two immigration officers were arrested for allegedly receiving RM400,000 to facilitate illegal entries.
The following month, 27 more individuals, including 18 enforcement officers, were detained in related operations across four states.
Those raids resulted in the freezing of 57 bank accounts valued at RM2.7 million and the seizure of cash and luxury items.
The banking sector was scrutinised under Ops Tiger, leading to the arrest of 49 bank officers for allegedly accepting bribes.
The case involved nearly RM700,000 in bribes related to financial documentation management, resulting in 249 charges.
Meanwhile, Ops Sky saw 16 banking individuals charged, with 98 accounts involving RM17.4 million frozen.
In August, Ops Sohor uncovered military intelligence leaks, arresting five senior armed forces officers.
They were accused of leaking sensitive information to smuggling syndicates operating from the Malacca Strait to Johor.
Another notable case involved businessman Albert Tei and a former senior political secretary over mineral licence approvals in Sabah.
MACC statistics show RM566.77 million was seized under the MACC Act 2009 as of November 30.
A further RM6.26 billion was seized under anti-money laundering laws, with RM36.14 million in assets frozen.
During the period, the agency received 6,114 reports, opened 966 investigations, and made 1,128 arrests.
It filed 445 charges and secured 189 convictions, underscoring a year of intensified enforcement.
