Criminologist warns organised crime in Malaysia is now less visible, operating through financial scams and legitimate business fronts, raising governance concerns.

PETALING JAYA: Organised crime in Malaysia is changing, with more complex and less visible criminal networks that intersect with the economy more obvious today than visible gang wars, said criminologist Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid.

She said public concern often spikes after high-profile incidents, with media coverage shaping perceptions of safety.

“When we look at official statistics in Malaysia, we don’t see clear evidence of a dramatic increase in organised crime or traditional gangsterism.

“What we are seeing, however, is a shift in how organised crime rings operate,” said the Universiti Malaya Faculty of Law senior lecturer.

She said instead of territorial dominance, criminal organisations are increasingly networked and economically focused.

“Some organisations operate under cultural or patriotic fronts. It is less visible than before.

“We see networked, economically driven activities such as financial crimes, online scams, trafficking networks and cross-border operations, which may not always appear in conventional crime data.”

She added that the evolution extends beyond street-level activity.

Haezreena highlighted that organised crime increasingly overlaps with legitimate business structures.

“Internationally, there is strong evidence that organised crime intersects with legitimate business. It is rarely a dramatic ‘takeover’ scenario.

“More often, it involves shell companies, procurement manipulation, regulatory loopholes or collusive arrangements.”

She alao said in developing and middle-income economies, especially those managing large infrastructure projects, governance weaknesses could create opportunities for exploitation.

“The link between corruption vulnerabilities and enforcement effectiveness is very close.

“If enforcement agencies are perceived as vulnerable to political interference or lack institutional independence, networks can adapt quickly.

“Crime control is not just about policing. It relies on governance integrity, transparency, institutional autonomy and proper oversight.”

For Haezreena, the central question is institutional resilience rather than an increase in crime.

“The broader issue is whether our institutions are resilient enough to respond to increasingly sophisticated forms of criminal organisation.

“Public concern often reflects deeper anxieties about governance and accountability, not just crime statistics alone.”

She said these anxieties have grown amid renewed public attention on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and its leadership.

Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said public perception is critical for trust in institutions.

“Since day one, the prime minister’s objective has been to reduce corrupt practices that have been longstanding,” said Azmi, referring to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s reform agenda.

“I think Anwar and (MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki) work well together.

“That is why Azam’s contract was renewed during Anwar’s tenure.”

He acknowledged that allegations and political discussion could influence public discourse.

“The recent scrutiny involving the MACC chief is unfortunate, given the sensitivity of the position.

“Public confidence in key institutions can be affected, which has wider implications.”

Azmi added that handling such matters in a timely and transparent manner would help maintain public trust.

 The Sun Malaysia