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MACC to target agents, middlemen and lobbyists in major anti-graft push this year

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will shift its enforcement focus to agents, middlemen and lobbyists this year, identifying them as the main enablers of corruption across government agencies, while it also reviews a complaint lodged against the commission by three NGOs

11:39 AM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will prioritise action against agents, middlemen and lobbyists this year, describing them as the main enablers of corruption within government agencies.

MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahya said the shift in focus comes as the commission continues to assess a complaint lodged against it by three non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on Tuesday.

“We hope the media will give us time to investigate the documents that have been delivered to us before we take any further action,” said

He said the investigation would be carried out under the relevant laws to determine whether there were elements of corruption, abuse of power or weaknesses in management.

“Basically, once something is accepted, we will look into whether there are any corruption issues, misuse of power and also the management aspect itself,” he said.

Ahmad Khusairi noted that previous enforcement efforts had largely focused on arresting officers within authorities, but this had not fully curbed corrupt practices.

“We have seen in recent years that although we focused on arrests within the authorities, the situation is still continuing. This year, our focus is to attack the agents, middlemen and anyone involved in influencing power agencies,” he said.

He issued a strong warning to those involved to cease their activities, adding that MACC had already identified several syndicates linked to such intermediaries.

“We have gathered information on a number of syndicates influenced by these agents and we will take firm action. They are convinced that they are the main enablers of corruption,” he said.

Asked whether such agents operated at airports and ports, Ahmad Khusairi said the scope was broader.

“All of them, whether at airports, ports, or those dealing with government authority. When I mention agents, I mean middlemen, lobbyists, project lobbyists and so on

“Just because we will be focusing more on the agents, middlemen and lobbyists, it does not mean we will not go after the agency personnels who are involved in corruption . – February 13, 2026

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