KUALA TERENGGANU, June 7 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has uncovered irregularities involving the government’s Daya Kerjaya 2.0 programme, with false claims amounting to RM9.01 million.

MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said investigations, with an operation expected to begin next week, found that 143 companies involving 320 workers nationwide were linked to the alleged misuse of government funds under the Social Security Organisation’s (Perkeso) initiative in 2024 and 2025.

“Under the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 programme, the government provides employers with a wage incentive of RM1,500 a month for six months for each eligible worker hired, including persons with disabilities, former prisoners and senior citizens.

“However, based on our preliminary intelligence gathering, several issues have been identified in the implementation of the programme. Among them, we found individuals who were declared as employees but did not actually exist,” he told Bernama during a visit to the Terengganu MACC office today.

Abd Halim said investigators also detected cases involving workers who did not meet the minimum six-month employment requirement but received the full incentive payment, as well as the use of forged documents to obtain the payments.

He said the MACC had also identified another 1,638 companies suspected of engaging in similar activities involving about RM45 million, although those cases remain at a preliminary stage of investigation.

Abd Halim said the commission has received good cooperation from Perkeso headquarters throughout the investigation and will continue working closely with the agency’s state offices to facilitate operations, including the collection of information and evidence.

He also said the MACC views seriously any elements of abuse or weaknesses in the management of government funds intended to benefit the public.

Abd Halim said the commission’s Governance Investigation Division would intensify efforts to assist government departments, agencies and companies in improving governance and strengthening procedures to prevent leakages and misuse of public funds.

“If there are weaknesses in the system or procedures, we will help identify them and recommend improvements to ensure government initiatives are implemented more effectively and reach the intended beneficiaries.

“The Daya Kerjaya 2.0 case is one example of how a government incentive introduced with good intentions to help the people and create employment opportunities can be abused by irresponsible parties,” he said.

Separately, Abd Halim said the MACC plans to establish Anti-Corruption Cadets at secondary schools to promote awareness and instil a culture of integrity and anti-corruption values among the younger generation.

As a start, he said the commission is considering launching the programme at one or two schools in Putrajaya or Kuala Lumpur involving between 30 and 40 students.

“Of course, we will first discuss the proposal with the Education Ministry. We will then look at whether the ministry agrees to it, as well as any constraints and the costs involved, such as uniforms and other requirements,” he said. — Bernama

KUALA NERUS, June 6 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today launched MACCAMPUS, a digital platform incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and gamification to strengthen integrity education and anti-corruption awareness among tertiary students.

MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said the initiative reflects their commitment to engaging university students in enhancing integrity education, corruption prevention and positive values through smartphones and information technology applications.

“To ensure MACC remains capable of engaging university students consistently and effectively, it requires a more innovative, interactive and technology-driven educational approach,” he said when speaking at the Integrity Financial Literacy @ Student Anti-Corruption Programme 2026 at Dewan Sultan Mizan, UMT, here. 

He said MACCAMPUS would serve as a digital hub for students involved in anti-corruption initiatives, particularly members of the Student Anti-Corruption Force (AMAR), while facilitating collaboration among participants from more than 120 higher learning institutions. 

In addition, the application also features comprehensive learning modules with academic collaboration platforms and student networking functions, while could be expanded to support competitions, mini projects, academic forums, as well as the sharing of ideas and research among students nationwide.

Being the first anti-corruption and integrity education application of its kind to be developed by MACC, MACCAMPUS has the potential to become a technology and intellectual-based platform that integrates education, simulation, gamification, artificial intelligence and academic collaboration.

Through the application, students are expected to become more knowledgeable, confident in making ethical decisions and capable of serving as agents of change who drive a culture of integrity on campuses and in society.

Abd Halim said all university students should make full use of this application to share ideas, reflect and engage in scholarly discourse through its modules, forums and academic discussions. 

"This is your space to debate constructively, challenge the status quo with sound arguments and distinguish between facts and propaganda that may distort thinking," he said.

Also present at the programme were UMT Pro-Chancellor and Employees Provident Fund Board Chairman Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali and UMT Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Zamri Ibrahim. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, June 8 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner, Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman, has required all agency personnel to submit or update their asset declarations within one month of receiving an official notification, which will be issued at a later date.

He said the directive was among the first measures introduced under his leadership to strengthen the agency’s integrity and rebuild public confidence in the MACC as an independent, professional and impartial institution.

“To spearhead efforts to build and maintain public trust, I am directing all MACC officers to submit their asset declarations within a month from the date the official notification is issued.

“In line with that commitment, I will personally be the first to undertake the asset declaration process, InsyaAllah,” he said during his first address at the MACC monthly gathering here today.

He also emphasised that the MACC would not yield to pressure from any source, whether public sentiment, media scrutiny or political influence.

“Justice and the rule of law, applied without exception or compromise, are principles we will uphold. Integrity must go beyond rhetoric and pledges; it must be demonstrated through confidential decision-making and fearless investigations,” he said.

He also cautioned MACC personnel against damaging the organisation’s reputation through any wrongdoing, saying that even a small act of misconduct can taint the integrity of the entire institution.

He also emphasised that MACC staff should embody two core values, namely strength and trustworthiness, as highlighted in Surah Al-Qasas (the 28th chapter of the Quran).

He said strength relates to capability and expertise in carrying out tasks, while trustworthiness embodies honesty, which is central to the public service ethos, adding that the combination of the two qualities will ensure that the MACC continues to be respected as a key pillar in safeguarding the nation’s integrity.

Abd Halim also urged MACC personnel to shun arrogance and ego in the course of their duties, stressing that their conduct is always under public scrutiny.

He further emphasised that justice cannot be compromised, and that genuine integrity is measured by the ability to resist interference or undue influence from vested interests. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, June 8 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has recorded 1,095 charges and secured 563 convictions from 2,633 investigation papers opened since 2024, said Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman.

He said 583 of the investigation papers involved high-profile and public interest cases, reflecting the commission’s commitment to taking action regardless of rank or position.

Abd Halim said the MACC’s focus goes beyond prosecuting offenders, with equal emphasis placed on dismantling corruption networks through aggressive asset recovery measures.

“Based on records from the Legal and Prosecution Division up to April 2026, a total of 115 asset forfeiture applications were filed in court, compared with 179 applications for the whole of last year.

“During the period, the MACC seized assets worth RM16.49 million, froze assets amounting to RM425,464.60 and secured forfeitures totalling RM3.42 million. Compounds amounting to RM10.47 million were also collected,” he said in his inaugural address at the MACC Monthly Assembly here today.

Abd Halim stressed that he would not allow the people’s rights to be eroded by those driven by greed.

He said the MACC is also strengthening the capabilities of its officers to tackle increasingly complex financial crimes involving advanced technology, cross-border transactions and cryptocurrencies.

“We can no longer work using old methods. The use of advanced technology, stronger strategic intelligence, data analytics and cooperation with international agencies is essential to ensure we remain one step ahead of criminals,” he said.

Nearly a month into his tenure, Abd Halim introduced five key leadership principles: uncompromising integrity, fair enforcement, prevention over punishment, technology and transparency, and building public trust.

“My personal principle is simple: ‘If you dare to do it, dare to take responsibility for it.’ No one in this organisation should become a liability that tarnishes the image of the MACC, which is currently at its strongest,” he said. — Bernama