Are corruption probes in Malaysia biased against Malay and Muslim entities?

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Corruption Probes Allegedly Target Malay and Muslim Entities Disproportionately

PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang has asserted that corruption investigations in Malaysia exhibit bias, disproportionately targeting Malay and Muslim entities with the intention of tarnishing Islam's image. He contends that enforcement actions are selectively applied, with individuals of higher rank often escaping scrutiny while lower-ranking ones face severe consequences. Hadi further claims that non-Muslim and non-Malay economic actors contribute more significantly to corruption, including through subsidy leakage.
Selective Enforcement and Rank-Based Impunity

Hadi has alleged that the Malaysian anti-corruption enforcement framework operates with a degree of injustice and selectivity. He specifically pointed out that action is frequently taken against those who receive bribes, while the individuals offering bribes and the middlemen involved, who he broadly associates with communities outside of Islam, are often permitted to go unpunished. This practice, he claims, allows senior figures to evade accountability due to their elevated positions, while those in lower ranks are subjected to the full extent of the law.
Targeting of Islamic Institutions and Entities

The PAS president argued that Islamic financial institutions, such as Tabung Haji, are subjected to heightened scrutiny and negative publicity specifically because of their religious branding. While acknowledging that wrongdoing can occur within these institutions, he posited that similar or even greater misconduct within government-linked companies (GLCs) and other non-Islamic bodies is often overlooked or "swept under the carpet." Hadi suggested this selective focus serves to tarnish the image of Islam.
Economic Actors and Subsidy Leakage

Hadi claimed that non-Muslim and non-Malay economic actors, including large-scale enterprises, are more substantial contributors to corruption in Malaysia. He specifically mentioned their involvement in the leakage of subsidies that are intended for vulnerable groups such as poor farmers and fishermen. This assertion implies a significant role of these economic actors in illicit financial activities that impact public welfare.
Praise for PAS-Led States and Criticism of Federal Government

In contrast to his criticisms of federal enforcement, Hadi lauded the PAS-led state governments, particularly Kelantan, for maintaining a record of being "clean" of corruption over more than three decades of PAS governance. He attributed this success, in part, to their ability to operate despite what he described as federal pressure and the denial of state rights. Conversely, he criticized the Pakatan Harapan federal government's anti-corruption rhetoric as mere "hollow sloganeering," suggesting that allegations of misconduct emerged even during its tenure.

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Are corruption probes in Malaysia biased against Malay and Muslim entities?

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