Kuala Lumpur: Technology abuse such as cyber threats could create a new breed of corruption, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki. Therefore, he said, Malaysia needs to strengthen cooperation with various stakeholders to develop technological solutions and best practices in transparency and governance.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azam emphasized the necessity for stronger collaboration from all stakeholders, including business and corporate entities, investors, traders, academicians, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and civil society organisations (CSOs), in the fight against the threat of corruption. He also highlighted the need to increase competencies and institutional capacity to address current challenges and crises.
Azam remarked that the world in the coming decades would be significantly different from today, with technology abuse such as cyber threats potentially creating a new breed of corruption. He made these comments in a recorded speech during the opening of the Good Governance Conference (GGC) 2025.
Azam stressed that Malaysia must maintain its long-term vision of positioning its Corruption Perception Index (CPI) ranking among the top 25 countries globally by 2033, aligning with the national target outlined in the Mid-Term Review of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP). Achieving this goal requires Malaysia to reach a score of 68 to 70 points, with an aim for steady annual progress of at least two points. He noted that this aspiration necessitates strategic governance reforms and shared commitment.
In 2024, Malaysia's rank in the CPI remained unchanged at 57th place out of 180 countries, the same position as in 2013. To improve this performance, a Special Task Force on CPI was established by the government in May 2024, led by the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. The task force is responsible for conducting a comprehensive analysis of the nine CPI surveys and providing recommendations for strategic improvements.
The CPI Special Task Force is supported by six focus groups, each dedicated to relevant CPI survey sectors, namely enforcement, legislation, public fund management, business competitiveness, investment, and strategic communications. Azam expressed concern about Transparency International's (TI) warning regarding the devastating effect of global corruption on the fight against the climate crisis.
He pointed out that corruption impacts biodiversity loss, pollution, and undermines access to better healthcare, education, and the justice system, weakening public investments and trust. Citing the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Report 2023, Azam noted an annual investment deficit of US$4 trillion faced by developing countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Regarding the GGC 2025, Azam said the insights shared by the panellists would provide a deeper understanding of the government's efforts and initiatives in promoting good governance and combating corruption. The conference, themed "Advancing Country's Image Through Governance Reforms: Policy-Performance-People," was jointly organised by MACC and the Malaysian Institute of Integrity (lIM).