Kuala lumpur: Efforts to combat corruption require a collective commitment from both the public and private sectors to build resilient institutions and an ethical society, according to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azam emphasized that while the government holds regulatory power, the private sector can contribute through technological innovation, access to data, and operational resources. “Efforts to combat corruption demand continuous commitment, unwavering integrity, and joint action. This public-private collaboration serves as a catalyst, bringing together strengths and shared responsibility in building a corruption-free society,” he stated in a recent announcement.

Earlier, Azam inaugurated a workshop titled ‘Advancing Integrity Together: Public-Private Partnership for Inclusive Anti-Corruption Reforms’, which was co-organized by the MACC and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The event was attended by participants from various countries, including Brunei, Denmark, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.

Azam also highlighted Malaysia’s progress in anti-corruption efforts, noting an improvement in the country’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranking to 57th in 2023 from 61st the previous year. This progress was largely attributed to the National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) 2019-2023, which achieved a 77 percent implementation rate, with 85 out of 111 initiatives successfully carried out.

To maintain this momentum, the MACC has launched the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2024-2028, comprising five core strategies: Education, Public Accountability, People’s Voice, Enforcement, and Incentives, supported by 60 sub-strategies. Azam noted that the MACC has introduced various reforms, including the adoption of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain in investigations and monitoring, to stay ahead of increasingly complex corruption tactics.

Azam further emphasized the importance of cooperation with the UNODC in advancing the global anti-corruption framework, particularly in areas such as corporate liability, private sector integrity, and cross-border collaboration. Also present at the event were Rasidah Abdul Karim, director of the MACC Policy, Planning and Research Division (BDPP), and Annika Wythes, team lead of the UNODC Anti-Corruption Hub for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.