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Focus Malaysia
5 hours ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
10 Malaysian anti-corruption initiatives recognised as global best practices
IT IS well known that Malaysia's position in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) still has room for improvement. In the 2024 CPI, Malaysia scored 50 points and ranked 57th out of 180 countries, unchanged from 2023. Various national-level efforts are underway to enhance Malaysia's CPI performance. In fact, the government has established a Special Task Force on the CPI, led by the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. Although corruption remains a serious issue, this does not mean that Malaysia lacks commitment in combating the crime. In truth, Malaysia's anti-corruption efforts are comprehensive. The country has a robust legal framework, effective agencies, and various initiatives to enhance integrity, governance, and corruption prevention. Malaysia's efforts have even gained international recognition, particularly for its compliance with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). Malaysia's Involvement in UNCAC UNCAC is an international convention under the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), mandating member countries to implement comprehensive anti-corruption measures. It is a legally binding agreement adopted by the United Nations. To date, UNCAC has 191 member states. Malaysia signed UNCAC on Dec 9, 2003 and ratified it on Sept 24, 2008. UNCAC compliance assessments do not involve any ratings or rankings. Instead, they aim to assist member countries in fulfilling the Convention's requirements. Malaysia has undergone two rounds of UNCAC compliance reviews. The first, between 2012 and 2013, evaluated compliance with Chapter 3: Criminalisation and Law Enforcement, and Chapter 4: International Cooperation. UNODC recognised eight best practices for Chapter 3 and fifteen for Chapter 4. The second review, conducted from 2016 to 2017, evaluated Chapter 2: Preventive Measures and Chapter 5: Asset Recovery. UNODC acknowledged nine best practices in Chapter 2 and six in Chapter 5. When UNODC recognises a country's initiative as a best practice, it is a matter of pride. These practices are published on the official UNODC website for reference and emulation by other UNCAC member states. 10 Malaysian best practices This article outlines ten key best practices from Malaysia that have been recognised by UNODC. Mandatory reporting of corruption under Section 25, MACC Act 2009: This section requires individuals to report any corruption-related transaction or attempt. Failure to do so is a criminal offence, punishable by up to 10 years' imprisonment, a fine up to RM100,000, or both. For instance, on Dec 2, 2020, five ministry staff were fined between RM1,500 and RM2,000 for failing to report bribe offers ranging from RM200 to RM600 intended to expedite Finance Ministry account applications via the e-Procurement system. In the same legal context, UNODC also recognised the absence of a statute of limitations on corruption crimes in Malaysia, allowing prosecution regardless of time passed. Establishment of Integrity Units (IU) in government and government-linked companies (GLCs): These units are tailored based on corruption risk ratings conducted by MACC, categorised as high, moderate, or low. IUs serve as focal points in managing integrity, corruption prevention, and promoting good governance. So far, 455 public agencies have set up IUs, and 292 have appointed Integrity Liaison Officers. In GLCs, IUs are called Integrity and Governance Units (IGUs), with 262 GLCs having established them and 505 appointing liaison officers. MACC officers are also seconded to high- and moderate-risk agencies. In total, 97 MACC officers have been deployed across 57 organisations. Oversight of MACC by five independent bodies: These include the Special Committee on Corruption (JKMR), Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (LPPR), Complaints Committee (JKA), Operations Review Panel (PPO), and Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel (PPPR). As part of Chapter 3's evaluation, UNODC recognised PPO's role in reviewing cases where the Public Prosecutor has decided not to proceed and making recommendations without interfering with prosecutorial discretion. Consistent with transparency principles, UNODC also acknowledged the publication of annual reports by these panels and committees as a best practice. Establishment of special corruption courts: Since 2011 judges are directed to conclude cases within a year. They are held accountable if they fail to meet this time-frame or do not take initiative to reduce case backlogs through pre-trial conferences or plea negotiations. Domestic and international cooperation: Domestically, the National Coordination Committee to Counter Money Laundering (NCC) was formed in April 2000, involving 17 agencies/ministries. The NCC coordinates policy and strategy on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, including investigations and prosecutions involving multiple enforcement agencies. UNODC also acknowledged Malaysia's bilateral and multilateral agreements with international organisations in anti-corruption efforts. Collaboration with the private sector: Large companies have appointed integrity officers and adopted 'no-gift' policies. MACC provides training and seconds officers to these firms. UNODC recognised the Corporate Directors Leadership and Integrity (CDLI) course aimed at equipping public officers appointed to GLC boards with good governance knowledge. Recently, the government introduced tax incentives to encourage corporate participation in anti-corruption efforts. These include special tax deductions for anti-corruption education, development of Organisational Anti-Corruption Plans (OACP), and ISO certifications, including MS ISO 37001: Anti-Bribery Management System (ABMS). Implementation of the Integrity Pact (IP) and 'MyProcurement' system: IP requires bidders or consultants to declare they will not offer or give bribes in government procurement processes, as stipulated in the Treasury Circular dated April 1, 2010. IP is enforced during the submission of tenders, return of Letters of Acceptance, and signing of procurement contracts. MyProcurement serves as a central information portal for government procurement, allowing public access to announcements and results of quotations and tenders. Recognition of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy (MACA): UNODC acknowledged MACA as an international training centre due to its role in training anti-corruption and law enforcement officers from foreign agencies. Corruption Surveys: Surveys assesses not only perception but actual incidences of corruption within the public sector, private sector, and general public. From 2023 to 2025, MACC, the Department of Statistics Malaysia, and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) are conducting the Malaysia Corruption Study (MaCoS) which is a large-scale, evidence-based research initiative. Legal and procedural framework for asset recovery: Malaysia's legal provisions and SOPs for asset recovery were also acknowledged, including financial intelligence sharing, assistance in asset tracing, ongoing negotiations with requesting countries, and returning assets to bona fide third parties. The clearest proof of the effectiveness of Malaysia's framework is the recovery of assets from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. To date, RM29.8 bil has been recovered with about 70% of the estimated RM42 bil misappropriated. ‒ July 31, 2025 Mohamad Tarmize Abdul Manaf is the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) director (Monitoring and Coordination Division). The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Harian Metro
Malaysiakini
6 hours ago
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Governance, fiscal reforms to push Malaysia into top 25 CPI rankings
Efforts to enhance governance and strengthen public administration under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) will directly contribute to achieving the Madani government's aspiration of positioning Malaysia among the top 25 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). According to the 13MP document released by the Economy Ministry today, the focus on strengthening integrity and accountability, improving public service delivery efficiency...
The Star
8 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Ten MACC initiatives recognised as global best practices
IT IS well known that Malaysia's position in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) still has room for improvement. In the 2024 CPI, Malaysia scored 50 points and ranked 57th out of 180 countries, unchanged from 2023. Various national-level efforts are underway to enhance Malaysia's CPI performance. In fact, the government has established a Special Task Force on the CPI, led by the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Cartoon of the day: 22 July 2025
Who will get rid of the rats eating SA's state resources Corruption, greed, and political parasites are siphoning money and state resources meant to help the most vulnerable. A 2024 Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index ranked South Africa 82nd out of 180 countries for corruption, with 1 being the least corrupt and 180 the most. SA sits alongside Cuba, Hungary, and Tanzania on the ranking. Ivory Coast, Botswana and Namibia are all less corrupt, according to the index. 'The global trend of weakening justice systems is reducing accountability for public officials, which allows corruption to thrive. Both authoritarian and democratic leaders are undermining justice. This is increasing impunity for corruption and even encouraging it by eliminating consequences for criminals. 'Corrupt acts like bribery and abuse of power are also infiltrating many courts and other justice institutions across the globe. Where corruption is the norm, vulnerable people have restricted access to justice while the rich and powerful capture whole justice systems, at the expense of the common good,' it noted in a previous report. Rot in the police While widespread corruption has become increasingly normalised, and the rot has set in across most of government, the spotlight has fallen on the SA Police Service in recent weeks. President Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly had a report on issues in the police on his desk for more than a year, but did not act on the crisis until KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that several high-profile officials, including Ramaphosa's own cabinet member Senzo Mchunu, were involved in political interference, corruption, and collusion with criminal syndicates. He has since announced a judicial commission of inquiry to look into the allegations.
NZ Herald
18-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Anti‑corruption taskforce launched, but what will it actually do?
SFO chief executive Karen Chang said the new taskforce would build intelligence to combat 'insider threats, foreign interference and AI‑enabled fraud'. The taskforce unveiling comes after experts warned the Government about compromised police officers, immigration officials, and private sector employees in ports and airports. Cabinet minister Casey Costello established an expert group in February to advise how government agencies could work better to combat organised crime. The group's first report said New Zealand was 'losing the fight' against organised crime and it urged the Government to take bold steps. The second report, released in May, focused on stopping money flows to organised crime groups here and overseas. The panel called for the banning of cryptocurrency ATMs and cash wages in 'high-risk' industries. The Government announced last week that cryptocurrency ATMs would be banned. The SFO said today that it would work with six agencies on the taskforce. They are Inland Revenue, ACC, Corrections, the Ministry of Social Development, Land Information New Zealand and Sport New Zealand. The SFO would assess the 'fraud and corruption control maturity' of those agencies. The agencies will report on corruption and fraud volumes detected and prevented. In the 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index, New Zealand ranked first-equal with Denmark and Finland. By this year, it had slipped to fourth place, behind Denmark, Finland and Singapore. The SFO said it would lead the new taskforce and use specialist counter-fraud and enforcement expertise. 'Many of the organisations in this pilot are already proactive members of our Counter-Fraud Centre community,' Chang said. That centre was established to support agencies in building counter-fraud capabilities. Chang said the taskforce would foster more targeted prevention, better detection and stronger enforcement. The pilot will run for six months. In the first phase, from July to September, the taskforce will work with the six agencies to gather data and test 'assessment and reporting' processes. In the second phase, from October to December, it will review the data and prepare a public report and advice to ministers on next steps. 'The taskforce's work will build a clearer intelligence picture of the threats that face our public sector,' Mitchell said. 'This is about taking proactive action to ensure our prevention and response system remains resilient and fit for purpose. 'Every dollar of public funding counts, and preventing the unlawful taking of taxpayer money is something we take very seriously.' Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said the taskforce should help law enforcement to identify risks early. Public Service Minister Judith Collins said the Government intended to maintain New Zealand's reputation as one of the world's least corrupt countries. 'By increasing transparency, identifying risks and encouraging ethical conduct across the public sector, this taskforce will help maintain trust in our institutions.' Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche said the taskforce should bolster New Zealand's ability to detect and prevent fraud and corruption in the public sector. John Weekes is a business journalist mostly covering aviation and courts. He has previously covered consumer affairs, crime, politics and courts. - Additional reporting by Jared Savage.
