MACC to launch National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2029 mid-next year

JAKARTA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will launch the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2029 (NACS 2024-2029) mid-next year to replace the National Anti-Corruption Plan 2019-2023 (NACP 2019-2023) which will conclude at the end of this year.

MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said NACS will focus more on the effectiveness of preventing corruption and improving governance and integrity in civil service administration and government-linked companies.

He said 62% of the 115 NACP 2019-2023 initiatives have been implemented, and the rest may be included in the NACS 2024-2029.

“Based on experience, we will reduce the initiatives. Enhancing effectiveness is more critical, and also whether administration and integrity in public services and government-linked companies can be solidified,” he said after delivering the keynote address at the World Anti-Corruption Conference 2023 (WACC 2023) organised by the International Strategy Institute on Thursday (Nov 16).

The one-day conference featured panels on anti-corruption from Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, South Korea, the Philippines, and Myanmar. The panels discussed various topics and strategies for eradicating corruption in their respective countries.

Azam said conferences like WACC are important as each panel will share its experience and best practices in tackling corruption.

He added that the knowledge shared at the conference will be considered in framing better initiatives under the NACS 2024-2029.

Meanwhile, commenting on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s one-year administration, Azam said the PM is not hesitant and is highly determined to eradicate corruption and practise orderly and good governance.

“Political will is essential, and I definitely say the government, particularly the Prime Minister, has a high political will and drive to go all out to prevent corruption,” he said.

“The Prime Minister has entrusted MACC with the task and given his commitment, with the high expectation to investigate and eradicate corruption in Malaysia,” he said.

The conference was also attended by former MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Seri Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil, who is also WACC 2023 chairman, Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Seri Syed Md Hasrin Tengku Hussin and ISI chairman Cheah Chyuan Yong.- BK