MACC Strengthens Global Network To Address Corruption, For Asset Recovery

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is committed to strengthening technical assistance, accelerating communication channels, sharing good practices and ensuring recovered assets are used for mutual benefit, in line with the principles of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

Its director (Anti-Money Laundering Division), Datuk Norhaizam Muhammad, said this while speaking as a panellist in a discussion session on Technical Assistance in International Cooperation and Asset Recovery at the UNCAC international conference held in Vienna, Austria, from Sept 1 to 5.

He said the conference focused on the next phase of the UNCAC  Implementation Review Mechanism,  particularly Chapter IV on International Cooperation and Chapter V on Asset Recovery.

“Various topics were also highlighted, including good practices and challenges in beneficial ownership information, alternatives to traditional enforcement through innovative approaches such as ‘illicit enrichment’. Non-criminal judicial assistance and civil litigation.

“Other issues discussed included corruption involving organised crime groups, denial of protection to corrupt actors, and preventing corruption in immigration, investment, and refugee protection policies,” he said in a statement today.

According to Norhaizam, MACC also confirmed Malaysia’s participation in three key UNCAC forums, namely the Second Resumed Sixteenth Session of the Implementation Review Group (IRG), Fourteenth Open-Ended Intergovernmental Expert Meeting to Enhance International Cooperation and the Nineteenth Session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Asset Recovery.

He said MACC also shared Malaysia’s experience with the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)  case, which became a catalyst for reforming strategies to combat cross-border corruption.

A special task force, involving MACC, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Attorney-General’s Chamber, Bank Negara Malaysia and the Finance Ministry, was mobilised to coordinate investigations, legal proceedings, and international cooperation, he added.

Norhaizam said a two-tier approach, which combines informal and formal channels through Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA), the use of financial intelligence, beneficial ownership analysis, and the support of international networks such as INTERPOL, the Egmont Group, the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre, the GlobE Network, and the StAR Initiative, significantly accelerated investigations and the asset recovery process.

As of May 2025, MACC has recovered RM29.79 billion, representing 70 per cent of the total funds misappropriated in the 1MDB case, and returned them to the government,” he said.

-- BERNAMA