THE country has lost around RM277 bil to corruption over the past five years, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
Speaking at the launch of the National Anti-Corruption Strategies (NACS) 2024–2028 in Putrajaya on Tuesday (May 7) Azam said the RM277 bil estimate was based on the country’s cumulative gross domestic product from 2018 to 2023.
“This huge amount could have been used to help the people in various ways, especially by implementing social projects such as repairing schools and hospitals but unfortunately we lost it due to corruption,” he pointed out.
The NACS 2024–2028, which was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today, outlines five core strategies to prevent corrupt practices in the country. It is a continuation of the National Anti-Corruption Plan 2019–2023.
It further highlights key anti-corruption strategies focused on enhancing integrity, transparency, and accountability across sectors such as politics, public administration, government procurement, law enforcement, legislative and judicial institutions, and the private sector.
According to the MACC head honcho, the NACS 2024–2028 was in line with Article 5 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, which requires all member countries to produce a document serving as the primary reference for national-level anti-corruption initiatives.
Meanwhile, Azam also confirmed that there are no plans to arrest former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for now, citing an ongoing investigation.
“We have no intention to arrest him yet since the investigation is ongoing,” he told reporters.
On April 25, Azam said the investigation against the former Langkawi MP was linked to MACC’s request for Mahathir’s sons, Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir and Mirzan Mahathir, to disclose their assets. – May 7, 2024
Main pic credit: Bernama
