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Strengthening laws key to fighting corruption, says Transparency International Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Strengthening legal frameworks is among the measures that can bolster the effectiveness of Malaysia's enforcement agencies in combating corruption.

Transparency International Malaysia president Dr Muhammad Mohan said this was in line with the government's main priority for next year, which is to ensure good governance and eradicate corruption, as mentioned by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently.

Muhammad said ensuring anti-corruption laws were robust and up-to-date was essential and this involved regular reviews and amendments to address any loopholes and impose stricter penalties for corruption.

"Second, enhancing training and resources is crucial to offer specialised training for enforcement officers on modern investigation methods and anti-corruption strategies. Furthermore, boosting the budget for enforcement agencies to acquire advanced technology and tools can greatly enhance their effectiveness," he said today (Dec 23).

"Third, promoting interagency cooperation. Better coordination and communication between enforcement agencies can lead to more efficient handling of corruption cases. Joint task forces and regular interagency meetings can facilitate the sharing of information and resources.

"Fourth, increasing transparency and accountability. Implementing measures to ensure transparency in government operations and decision-making processes can deter corrupt practices. This includes public disclosure of assets by public officials and regular audits of government departments.

"Fifth, engaging civil society and media. Strengthening partnerships with civil society organisations and the media can help in monitoring and reporting corruption. Public awareness campaigns can also educate citizens about the negative impacts of corruption and encourage them to report suspicious activities.

"Finally, international cooperation. Collaborating with international anti-corruption bodies and networks can provide access to best practices, training and resources. It also helps in tackling cross-border corruption cases more effectively."

Muhammad said this in response to Anwar, who, on Saturday, said governance and addressing corruption were top priorities for his administration next year.

He said Anwar's government had taken significant steps in this direction, such as the introduction of the Fiscal Responsibility Act to enhance transparency and accountability.

"The prime minister stressed that all tender processes are now transparent, eliminating negotiated tenders that often lead to misuse of public funds.

"However, achieving these goals will not be easy. Anwar himself acknowledged that changing the culture of corruption and ensuring good governance will take time and persistent effort. Resistance from various quarters could also pose challenges to his reform agenda.

"We must also not forget that Anwar is leading a coalition government with 18 parties. He is not leading a Pakatan Harapan government.

"While Anwar's commitment to these issues is strong and some progress has been made, the success of his efforts will depend on continued political will, public support and effective implementation of reforms."

Muhammad said the Madani government's reform agenda had made notable progress in several areas, though some challenges remain.

Among them are economic growth, fiscal management, subsidy reforms, and governance and transparency.

"Reforms in food, fuel, and electricity subsidies have been implemented, reducing subsidy expenditures.

"The government aims to further streamline fuel subsidies by mid-2025. The International Monetary Fund and World Bank have praised the government for these reforms.

"The prime minister has also emphasised good governance, ensuring that no minister or government leader can influence decisions in the tender process, as part of broader efforts to enhance transparency and combat corruption.

"Overall, the Madani government has made significant strides in economic and fiscal reforms, governance and subsidy realignment. However, the pace of institutional reforms remains an area to watch."

Muhammad said several crucial institutional reforms aimed at strengthening governance and transparency in Malaysia have progressed more slowly than anticipated.

"Despite Anwar's acknowledgment that reforms must be implemented gradually to avoid disruptions, many of these changes are vital for the long-term success of his administration."

Among the key reforms still pending are amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, which civil society organisations have been advocating for over the past five years. While the amendments are ready, they have yet to be implemented.

"Similarly, the Freedom of Information Act is in draft form, but has not moved forward in Parliament.

"The Parliamentary Services Act, which was supposed to be tabled in 2022, remains on hold.

"Another pressing issue is the separation of powers between the attorney-general and public prosecutor, a reform now seen as urgent due to concerns over the growing number of cases involving discharge not amounting to an acquittal and the withdrawal of charges by the attorney-general before cases are concluded in court."

Other delayed reforms include the Judicial Commission Act, which aims to prevent executive interference in the appointment of judges; the Public Procurement Act, under development by the Finance Ministry since 2019; the Ombudsman Act, which would establish an independent office to investigate public wrongdoing; and, the Political Financing Act, designed to regulate political donations and curb money politics, widely regarded as a root cause of corruption.

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