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 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — The ringgit ended lower against the US dollar today as stronger-than-expected United States (US) labour market data reinforced expectations that the US Federal Reserve would maintain its restrictive monetary policy stance, boosting demand for the greenback, an economist said.

At 6 pm, the local note depreciated to 4.0715/0760 against the US dollar from last Friday’s close of 4.0280/0320.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the ringgit eased by 1.04 per cent against the US dollar, in tandem with most Asian currencies, which also traded lower against the greenback.

He said crude oil prices were also higher today due to the ongoing war between the US, Israel, and Iran, which will result in the closure of the Straits of Hormuz.

At the time of writing, the benchmark Brent crude oil increased 3.77 per cent to US$96.60 per barrel.

“A higher inflation rate going forward and how the global market would react to such macroeconomic conditions will be a key factor that will shape market sentiments.

“It appears that a higher benchmark interest rate seems to be the antidote for the currency, and this has led to cautious market sentiments,” he told Bernama.

Similar to its performance against the greenback, the ringgit also traded mostly lower against a basket of major currencies. 

It depreciated against the British pound to 5.4249/4309 from 5.4233/4287 at the close last Friday, and slid against the Japanese yen to 2.5445/5475 from 2.5183/5209 last week, but turned slightly higher versus the euro at 4.6867/6919  from 4.6882/6928 previously.

The local currency also depreciated against regional peers.

It fell versus the Singapore dollar to 3.1577/1614 from 3.1390/1424 last Friday, and was down against the Thai baht at 12.3942/4128 from 12.3433/3605 previously.

It had also turned weaker against the Philippine peso to 6.60/6.61 from 6.55/6.56 last week, and eased against the Indonesian rupiah to 223.8/224.2 versus 223.3/223.6 previously. — Bernama