MACC: Malaysia Lost RM277 Billion To Corruption Between 2018 And 2023
That's about RM55 billion a year in the last five years, and about RM150,000,000 per day.
By May Vin Ang — 09 May 2024, 11:15 AM
Malaysia lost approximately RM277 billion to corruption over a period of five years between 2018 and 2023
At the launch of the new national anti-corruption plan on Tuesday, 7 May, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki revealed that the country lost about RM55 billion a year over the last five years.
"This huge amount [could] have been used to help people in various aspects, especially in the implementation of social projects such as repairing schools and hospitals, but unfortunately, we've lost it due to the crime of corruption," he said.
The National Anti-Corruption Strategies (NACS) 2024-2028 was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who also said the issue of corruption in the country should not be taken lightly.
From left: Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister II Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, and MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
Image via Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah MalaysiaA booklet about the NACS 2024-2028, which was distributed during the event, said the RM277 billion leakage could pose a detrimental impact on the country
"To put this figure into perspective, [the RM277 billion in losses] is equivalent to 28 years of Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah, or even the combined GDPs of Johor and Penang.
"The persistent leakages within ministries, government departments, government-linked companies, and statutory bodies require urgent rectification," the booklet read, as quoted by the New Straits Times.
NACS 2024-2028 outlines five key strategies — education, public accountability, voice, enforcement, and incentives — in efforts to combat corruption in the country, and is a continuation of the National Anti-Corruption Plan 2019-2023.
The MACC chief said the previous National Anti Corruption Plan 2019-2023 had managed to improve Malaysia's corruption perception index (CPI) in the last five years
"The global index involving 180 countries worldwide saw Malaysia jumping to 51st place from the 61st spot in 2018, which was the country's most significant performance and the best CPI rating in 20 years," Azam said at the event.
He added that, with the new national plan, the country aims to be one of the top 25 nations with the best CPI ratings in the next 10 years.
"I hope the NACS 2024-2028 will receive support and full commitment from all parties, especially ministries, government departments, and agencies on all levels, to ensure that the strategies on combating corruption can be implemented effectively and achieve its goal of making Malaysia a corruption-free country," he said.
