MACC records RM1.27b in asset freezes from 2022 to September, says deputy minister

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission froze assets worth RM1.27 billion from 2022 to September 2023 under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

From January to September this year, 1,006 asset-freezing orders were issued, with 781 revoked without charges.

Freezing assets is an investigative step to prevent their transfer, and investigations are based on suspicious financial transactions.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) recorded asset freezes worth RM1.27 billion from 2022 to September this year, involving bank accounts, jewellery, immovable property and other valuables.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran said the asset freezes were carried out under Section 44 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Act 613).

He said 1,336 asset-freezing orders were issued under the Act in 2025, while another 1,006 were issued from Jan 1 to Sept 30 this year.

A total of 481 freezing orders were revoked without charges in 2025, while another 781 were revoked in the first nine months of this year, he added.

“The withdrawal, cancellation or variation of an asset-freezing order does not necessarily mean that no offence has occurred or that the investigation has no basis.

“This is because freezing assets is part of the investigative process and an enforcement measure to prevent assets suspected of being linked to an offence from being transferred, disposed of or traded,” he said.

He was answering a question from Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong on the power to freeze assets under Section 44 of Act 613, as well as regulatory and investigative issues involving the MACC, during the Special Chamber sitting in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Kulasegaran said investigations conducted by the MACC and other enforcement agencies were not carried out arbitrarily, but in accordance with established criteria.

He said preliminary action was taken based on reports, prima facie investigations and the presence of suspicious transactions, such as unusually large sums of money moving in and out of accounts.

The 90-day period provided under Section 44 of Act 613 allows a freezing order to be revoked as soon as possible once an investigation has been completed, he added.

“I agree with the Honourable Member that having a law such as the one in Singapore, which is more independent and impartial ... would be better if it were left to the courts.

“This is something I have read about and examined, and I have told the agency concerned to look into it because it would be a win-win position, and the MACC’s good name would be respected,” he said.

He was responding to a supplementary question from Wee on the need to tighten governance, including requiring court approval before freezing accounts or seizing assets belonging to listed companies, to protect the interests of minority shareholders. — Bernama

Budget 2027 should accelerate transition from R&D to Malaysian technology, says Mimos

Ministry to ensure Budget 2027 funds benefit women, children, OKU and elderly, says Nancy Shukri

Johor records nearly 10,000 commercial crime cases with RM212.64m in losses, says state top cop

马来西亚反贪污委员会根据《反洗钱法》冻结了价值 12.7 亿令吉的资产，冻结期从 2022 年 9 月至 2023 年 9 月。

今年1月至9月，共发出1006份资产冻结令，其中781份在未提出指控的情况下被撤销。

冻结资产是防止资产转移的调查步骤，而调查则基于可疑的金融交易。

吉隆坡，10 月 13 日讯——马来西亚反贪污委员会（MACC）记录显示，从 2022 年到今年 9 月，共冻结了价值 12.7 亿令吉的资产，涉及银行账户、珠宝、不动产和其他贵重物品。

总理府（法律和体制改革）副部长 M. Kulasegaran 表示，此次资产冻结是根据 2001 年《反洗钱、反恐怖主义融资和非法活动收益法》（第 613 号法令）第 44 条执行的。

他表示，2025 年根据该法案发出了 1336 项资产冻结令，而今年 1 月 1 日至 9 月 30 日期间又发出了 1006 项。

他补充说，2025 年共有 481 项冻结令被撤销且未提出任何指控，而今年前九个月又有 781 项冻结令被撤销。

“撤回、取消或变更资产冻结令并不一定意味着没有发生违法行为，或者调查没有依据。

他说：“这是因为冻结资产是调查程序的一部分，也是一项执法措施，旨在防止涉嫌与犯罪有关的资产被转移、处置或交易。”

今天，在国会下议院特别法庭会议上，他回答了拿督斯里魏家祥医生关于根据第613号法令第44条冻结资产的权力，以及涉及反贪污委员会的监管和调查问题的问题。

库拉塞加兰表示，反贪污委员会和其他执法机构进行的调查并非随意进行，而是按照既定标准进行的。

他表示，初步行动是根据报告、初步调查以及可疑交易（例如账户中异常大额的资金流动）而采取的。

他补充说，根据第 613 号法令第 44 条规定的 90 天期限，一旦调查完成，冻结令即可尽快撤销。

“我同意尊敬的议员的观点，像新加坡那样更加独立公正的法律……如果交由法院来裁决会更好。”

他说：“我已阅读并研究过此事，并已告知有关机构进行调查，因为这将是一个双赢的局面，反贪污委员会的良好声誉也将得到维护。”

他是在回应魏家祥提出的补充提问，该提问涉及加强公司治理的必要性，包括要求在冻结上市公司账户或扣押其资产之前必须获得法院批准，以保护少数股东的利益。——马新社

Mimos表示，2027年财政预算案应加快从研发向马来西亚技术的转型。

南希·舒克里表示，该部将确保2027年预算资金惠及妇女、儿童、残障人士和老年人。

柔佛州最高警官表示，该州商业犯罪案件近万起，损失金额高达2.1264亿令吉。