Issues & Incidents
Major Malaysian political issues, each consolidated into a single page: a dated timeline, a relationship graph of the people and organisations involved, and the reporting each claim rests on.
Read this first. These pages concern named, living people. Timelines and summaries are assembled automatically from published reporting and can be wrong or incomplete. An investigation, a charge and a conviction are different things, and where a matter is unproven it is an allegation — nothing here should be read as a finding of guilt. Every entry links to the reporting it came from; treat that as the record, and use “Report an issue” if something is wrong.
Rafizi Ramli ARM deal
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is investigating former Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli regarding a RM1.1 billion investment deal with British chip designer Arm Holdings. Rafizi has been summoned multiple times, has voluntarily submitted documents and evidence, and maintains confidence in his documentation. MACC has recommended charges against two individuals in connection with the deal, though Rafizi is not among them. The probe stems from allegations linked to Rafizi's former political aide, James Chai, who has been questioned by MACC multiple times.
Tun Daim wealth probe
Tun Daim Zainuddin, former Malaysian Finance Minister, was investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over unexplained wealth linked to the Pandora Papers. In January 2024, he was charged with failing to declare assets, which he denied and called politically motivated. Daim died on 13 November 2024, causing the criminal charge to abate, while civil forfeiture proceedings against his family and estate continued. MACC identified assets worth over RM3 billion across 11 countries as part of its probe.
GISB welfare home abuse
In September 2024, Malaysian authorities raided welfare homes linked to Global Ihsan Sejahtera Berhad (GISBH), rescuing over 572 children and uncovering allegations of widespread physical and sexual abuse. The investigation led to the arrest of numerous individuals, including the CEO and his wife, who were among 22 people charged with being members of an organised crime group. The case has prompted national debate on child protection failures and institutional oversight of charitable organisations in Malaysia.
Littoral Combat Ship scandal
The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project in Malaysia, initiated with a RM9 billion contract awarded in 2011 to Boustead Naval Shipyard for six ships, has faced significant delays and cost overruns. By 2022, none of the ships had been delivered despite substantial payments, prompting investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into alleged misappropriation and design changes. The project has seen gradual progress since 2024, with the first ship, KD Maharaja Lela, undergoing sea trials and advancing toward delivery, while subsequent ships have been launched and assembled. As of early 2026, the third LCS was launched, and the fourth is scheduled for launch in January 2027, indicating ongoing efforts to complete the programme amid continued scrutiny.
Scorpene & Altantuya case
The Scorpene submarine deal and the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu remain interconnected controversies in Malaysia. Altantuya, linked to an individual involved in the submarine procurement, was murdered in 2006; two police bodyguards were convicted of her killing. Allegations of commissions in the submarine deal have been investigated in Malaysia and pursued in French courts, with ongoing legal and public scrutiny. Recent developments include court rulings clearing the government of wrongful death liability, appeals by Altantuya's family, and continued scrutiny of the Scorpene procurement process.
Najib Razak pardon & house arrest
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was imprisoned in 2022 over the SRC International case linked to 1MDB. In early 2024, the Pardons Board halved his 12-year sentence to six years and reduced his fine. Najib's lawyers subsequently sought to enforce an alleged 'house arrest addendum' issued by the former King to allow him to serve the remainder of his sentence at home, leading to a series of legal challenges. Multiple courts rejected his bids, citing lack of legal basis for such an order in Malaysia, with the Attorney General's Chambers warning against misinterpretation of rulings.
Sabah mineral licence bribery
In late 2024, leaked video recordings appeared to show Sabah state assemblymen discussing or accepting payments in connection with the award of mineral exploration licences, triggering a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation. The case, widely referred to as the 'Sabah graft' or mining-licence scandal, raised questions about state resource governance and political financing. Multiple individuals, including businessman Albert Tei and former Sabah assemblymen, have been charged in relation to bribery allegations over mining licences. While some probes into figures like Farhash Wafa were closed with no case found, the investigation into Albert Tei and others remains ongoing, with his trial set for April 2026.
Jana Wibawa scandal
The Jana Wibawa scandal involves allegations of corruption and money laundering related to a government programme awarding contracts to Bumiputera contractors during the Perikatan Nasional administration. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigated the programme, leading to criminal charges against former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and others linked to Bersatu. The trial began on March 9, 2026, with proceedings ongoing as of September 2026, including witness testimonies and prosecutorial claims about hundreds of millions of ringgit flowing into Bersatu accounts. On September 16, 2026, the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) dropped four charges against Muhyiddin based on evidence and litigation risks, while three Jana Wibawa-related charges remain.
Batu Puteh RCI
A Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) was established in 2024 to examine the Malaysian government's 2018 decision to discontinue legal efforts to review the International Court of Justice ruling that awarded Pedra Branca (Batu Puteh) to Singapore. The RCI investigated who was responsible for dropping the review and its implications for national sovereignty, with hearings focusing on former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The inquiry concluded with recommendations for a criminal probe against Dr Mahathir over alleged cheating in the Batu Puteh dispute, which the panel described as revealing 'treachery' against Malaysia. Subsequent legal proceedings have seen Dr Mahathir appeal RCI findings, with courts adjourning hearings to allow new evidence and postponing his attempts to attend RCI proceedings.
1MDB
In 2026, Malaysian courts continued to uphold Najib Razak's culpability in the 1MDB scandal, denying his requests to suspend or stay his 15-year prison sentence despite medical appeals. He was granted house arrest under a second royal pardon in September 2026, though his bid to suspend the sentence was denied in October. Ongoing legal actions include asset seizures abroad, such as the freezing of funds in Barbados and the seizure of Jho Low's villa in Cyprus, and jurisdictional disputes over lawsuits against UK law firms, with 1MDB seeking to reinstate or appeal rulings in Malaysian courts.
Teoh Beng Hock
Teoh Beng Hock, a political aide, was found dead on July 16, 2009, after being questioned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam. His death was initially ruled as suicide by an inquest but widely suspected as foul play by his family and civil society groups. The case has undergone multiple inquests, a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) in 2011, and sustained public demands for accountability. As recently as May 2025, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) classified the probe as 'no further action' (NFA), while the family continues to seek a murder investigation and accountability for MACC officers involved.
Azam Baki share-trading scandal
Azam Baki, former chief commissioner of Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), has faced ongoing scrutiny since at least 2022 regarding his shareholdings and trading activities, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Allegations emerged about his ownership of shares in listed companies, including Velocity Capital, which he has consistently denied, stating he holds zero company shares since July 2025. The issue has prompted public protests, government inquiries into civil servant share ownership rules, and legal actions, including defamation suits filed by Baki against media outlets and individuals over reports he claims are libellous.