Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is ramping up investigations and strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders to improve Malaysia’s standing in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the agency expressed its full support for the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, in reaffirming the government’s integrated efforts to strengthen global confidence in Malaysia’s governance efficiency and transparency.

The MACC issued a statement emphasizing its role as the lead agency in combating corruption, committing to intensifying investigations and enhancing prevention and education initiatives to ensure more effective anti-corruption measures.

This development follows Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M)’s announcement that Malaysia retained its 57th position in the 2024 CPI for the second consecutive year. The MACC acknowledged TI-M’s report, confirming that Malaysia maintained a score of 50 and ranked 57th globally in the 2024 CPI.

Through its National Governance Planning Division (BPGN), which serves as the secretariat for the CPI Special Task Force led by the Chief Secretary, the MACC plans to continue analyzing survey findings to identify key areas for improvement.

The MACC also highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation with stakeholders, including government ministries, the private sector, civil society, and TI-M. It emphasized that improving the CPI ranking requires more than just enforcement; it demands a comprehensive, collective effort from all sectors.

The commission urged all parties to work together in enhancing preventive strategies and governance reforms to help achieve the government’s target of placing Malaysia among the top 25 countries globally by 2033.