Briefing by MACC Director on Anti-Money Laundering and Integrity in Real Estate Transactions
News from Firdaus & Associates Group
The Firdaus & Associates Group of Companies recently had the privilege of hosting TPj Mohamad Zamri bin Zainul Abidnin, Director of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission), for a comprehensive briefing session on the role of MACC, integrity governance, and anti-money laundering (AMLA) matters — with particular emphasis on their relevance to real estate transactions.
During the session, TPj Mohamad Zamri provided an insightful overview of MACC’s mandate, responsibilities, and enforcement framework in safeguarding transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct across both public and private sectors. He highlighted MACC’s role not only in enforcement, but also in education, prevention, and awareness, especially among professional service providers such as valuers, estate agents, and property managers.
(Photos: TPj Mohamad Zamri bin Zainul Abidnin delivering the MACC briefing on AML and integrity matters, with management and professional staff of Firdaus & Associates Group.)
A key focus of the briefing was anti-money laundering (AMLA) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) obligations, where TPj Mohamad Zamri explained how real estate transactions are globally recognised as high-risk channels for illicit financial activities if not properly monitored. He elaborated on red-flag indicators, suspicious transaction patterns, beneficial ownership concerns, and the importance of know your customer (KYC), customer due diligence (CDD), record keeping, and timely reporting by real estate professionals.
The session also addressed how AML compliance impacts day-to-day real estate practice — from property sales and leasing to valuation assignments and property management operations. Participants were reminded that professional negligence, willful blindness, or failure to report suspicious activities may expose practitioners and firms to serious legal and reputational consequences.
The briefing concluded with an engaging Q&A session, allowing participants to seek clarification on real-world scenarios, regulatory expectations, and best practices in maintaining compliance while serving clients effectively.
The visit reflects Firdaus & Associates Group’s strong commitment to governance, ethics, and professional integrity, reinforcing our belief that a sustainable and credible property industry must be built on transparency, compliance, and public trust. We extend our sincere appreciation to TPj Mohamad Zamri bin Zainul Abidnin and the MACC for their valuable insights and guidance.
