PUTRAJAYA, 9 September 2025 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed that 20 bank officers will be brought to court by the end of September or early October for their alleged involvement in a major corruption and money-laundering syndicate linked to the approval of RM700 million in loans for civil servants.
The officers, drawn from multiple financial institutions, are expected to face charges under the MACC Act 2009, which criminalises bribery, abuse of power, and illicit enrichment. The cases form part of “Op Sky,” a sweeping MACC investigation launched to dismantle loan rackets exploiting government employees.
At a press conference in Putrajaya, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the agency has already secured an agreement to recover RM250 million in cash connected to the scandal, marking one of the largest recoveries in recent years. “Through Op Sky, we would like to inform that around 20 bank officers will be charged in court under the MACC Act,” Azam stated, underscoring the scale of the operation and the seriousness of the allegations.
The scandal revolves around irregular loan approvals where syndicates allegedly colluded with corrupt bank officials to exploit civil servants applying for personal financing. Investigators believe bribes and kickbacks were channelled through complex laundering schemes to conceal illicit gains, raising concerns over systemic weaknesses in internal banking controls.
Legal experts note that convictions under the MACC Act could result in hefty prison terms, fines, and mandatory forfeiture of illicit assets. The scandal has also triggered wider scrutiny of Malaysia’s financial sector, with regulators under pressure to tighten oversight and ensure stronger compliance frameworks within banks and cooperative lenders.
Civil service unions and anti-graft watchdogs have welcomed MACC’s decisive action, but called for structural reforms to address loopholes that allow syndicates to exploit loan systems. Analysts warn that unless greater safeguards are put in place, corruption scandals tied to public-sector lending may continue to undermine both governance and public confidence in Malaysia’s financial institutions.
The case is expected to draw significant attention when formal charges are filed in the coming weeks, as the public awaits the full list of officers implicated and the extent of institutional accountability.
