According to Emir Research estimates from 2023, Malaysia
is estimated to have lost about RM4.5tn to corruption and leakages over a
26-year period (1997–2022). The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)
reported that Malaysia may have suffered RM277bn in economic losses due to
corruption between 2018 and 2023, averaging RM55bn annually.
https://www.wikihow.life
Amidst all of this, PMX missed a splendid
opportunity to reaffirm his anti-corruption resolve when he dismissed
Bloomberg’s Feb 3, 2026, article linking the Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission (MACC) chief commissioner to local “corporate mafia” figures.
Imagine if Anwar had reacted thus: “I
cannot dismiss such serious allegations. I have demanded that MACC Chief Azam
take immediate leave pending a thorough investigation to be headed by former
Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.” Or someone of similar stature.
Instead, Anwar chided his critics and asked them to “read his [Azam’s]
explanation”. Anwar also did not help himself or his cause in having a
high-level internal “Special Committee” to investigate the matter.
Azam was not Anwar’s appointee, rather a
carryover from the previous administrations of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri. Azam’s contract, due to end May 2, 2026, had been
extended in the past albeit very briefly three times, including twice by Anwar.
It is noteworthy that Muhyiddin’s own
corruption trial is set to begin in March. He was arrested in March 2023
following his coalition’s loss in the Nov 2022 general elections (GE15). As for
Ismail Sabri, MACC had seized over RM 169 mil in cash as well as gold bars from
“safe houses” linked to him. He has yet to be charged. More significant, he had
made no effort to reclaim those seized spoils.
Malaysia has serious problems with
corruption. The current allegations are made not by some small publication but Bloomberg,
citing specific individuals, places, and transactions. That begs for a thorough
investigation. Even a Royal Commission.
As for Malaysia’s record in combating
corruption, yes, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is now in jail. And
he will remain in jail for the next few decades unless pardoned. Najib is now
joined by his former minister Tan Sri Isa Samad, having recently exhausted his
long, extended appeals.
Anwar cannot claim credit for either.
Najib’s arrest in July 2018 followed the defeat of his coalition in the April
2018 elections. He was convicted in July 2020. That and his other corruption
convictions were initiated long before the Anwar administration. Also worth
reminding is that Najib was convicted not by in-house or career civil servant
prosecutors.
As for PMX’s commitment and track record in
fighting corruption, the case of Deputy Prime Minister is instructive as well
as revealing. He was arrested in Oct 2018, also following his party’s defeat in
the 14th general elections (GE14) in April 2018 for misappropriating
funds belonging to his family-run foundation, Yayasan Akalbudi. The DPM has
secured the DNAA and now seeks a full acquittal!
Who
will replace Azam? How about Rafizi Ramli, the former Economy Minister? A
chartered accountant and a chartered engineer, Rafizi could do a better
forensic audit and engineer (no pun intended) the conviction of many “big”
fish. So, instead of investigating Rafizi, Anwar could take a major
step in restoring his credibility (as a crusader against corruption) by
appointing Rafizi. Will he do it? Previously, as an opposition leader Anwar
would have proposed Rafizi but not the PMX.
Reference:
PMX undermines his own jihad against corruption, M. Bakri Musa, Focus Malaysia, 20 Feb 2026
