Malaysia's anti-graft agency to probe bribery allegations

26/11/2025 16:49

Malaysia's anti-graft agency will investigate bribery allegations made against a former senior aide to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who has faced questions over his commitment to tackling corruption since coming to office three years ago.



Wednesday's announcement came a day after Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin resigned as Anwar's senior political secretary, citing an attempt to attack him with allegations that could damage the government. He did not detail the allegations, but said he would defend himself "against this attack".



Both Shamsul Iskandar and Albert Tei, the businessman who made the bribery allegations, will be summoned for questioning, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Azam Baki said in a statement.



On Wednesday, Anwar said in a statement he had accepted the resignation, and that the MACC was "free to conduct an investigation immediately, without any external interference."



Shamsul Iskandar is a senior member of Anwar's People's Justice Party, having previously served as a lawmaker and deputy minister. He had been Anwar's senior political secretary since December 2022 and is regarded as one of the premier's most trusted advisers.