THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is incorporating advanced technology into its investigative methods to address the growing complexity of corruption cases, said its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
Azam noted that the commission’s investigative approach has become more streamlined and efficient over the past five years, using an open-source system that swiftly gathers information to build suspect profiles, Bernama reported.
Speaking in a special interview at his office recently marking MACC’s 57th anniversary, the MACC chief said the system, which has been widely used abroad, allows the anti-corruption agency to analyse the whereabouts of suspects and additional information required before further investigations are carried out.
“Our officers no longer need to conduct field surveillance of suspects, which is time-consuming,” he was quoted as saying by the news agency.
“We have reduced the workforce in investigations while increasing the speed of inquiry, which has helped us significantly in prosecutions.
“We have streamlined our intelligence and investigation methods. Five years ago, we relied more heavily on field intelligence officers, but now we use our current system to analyse and track subjects or suspects.”
According to Azam, the technology enables investigations and intelligence gathering to be conducted more quickly, efficiently, and thoroughly, which has indirectly led to an increase in convictions.
He said that the commission is also training MACC officers in cybersecurity and cryptocurrency as these have become the latest platforms criminals use to conceal their illicit gains from corruption.
“Our officers are being trained and equipped with the skills to detect cryptocurrency used to conceal illicit funds, enabling successful prosecution and recovery of the assets for the government,” he remarked.
Azam further noted that the agency has formed the MACC Tactical Team (ACTS) to ensure the safety of its personnel during operations in high-risk and dangerous areas such as the recent raid in Sibu, Sarawak.
He said the team comprises 20 officers equipped with the latest weapons and trained by VAT 69 Commandos in Perak.
Azam stressed that fighting corruption in the public sector remains the agency’s top priority in preventing government fund leakages.
He noted that, according to MACC statistics from 2020 to 2024, the commission received 30,483 tip-offs related to corruption, with 17,892 cases, or 58% involving civil servants.
“During this period, MACC initiated 2,123 investigations and detained 2,046 civil servants. Of which, 1,036 were charged in court and 464 have been convicted,” he stated.
The offences included 1,124 cases of accepting bribes, 445 cases of making false claims, 19 cases of offering bribes, 320 cases of abuse of power, 57 cases of money laundering, 153 cases under the Penal Code, and five cases under other laws. – Oct 1, 2024
