Published: Wednesday October 3, 2012 MYT 1:23:00 PM

PM: Malaysia recognises need to work with global community to combat corruption

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government recognises the need for cooperation with the international community in pursuing anti-corruption efforts within the country, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He pointed out that fighting corruption was now an integral part of the Government's ambitious plans to transform itself and accelerate economic growth in Malaysia.

He said the Malaysian government had made fighting corruption one of its priorities by including it as a National Key Result Area (NKRA) under the Government Transformation Programme GTP.

Najib said this in his welcoming message in conjunction with the 6th International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) annual general meeting and conference, which will be held here from Thursday to Sunday.

Themed "UNCAC Chapter VI: Technical Assistance and Information Exchange", the forum at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre will be attended by more than 1,000 anti-corruption officers from more than 100 countries and focus on technical assistance and information exchange.

Najib said corruption was a threat to national security and jeopardised not only the country's financial well-being but also its socio-economic development efforts and most importantly, the moral fabric of the nation in the longer term.

"Corruption is indeed a serious threat that we have been trying to combat for a very long time. Despite the fact that it is condemned by the public and a crime prohibited by law, it remains widespread in many societies," he said.

Najib said the IAACA conference would be a great event for participants from different anti-corruption law enforcement agencies, experts and academicians from international anti-corruption organisations to discuss significant issues such as training, technical assistance, collection, exchange and analysis of information on corruption.

"Hopefully from this conference, Malaysia will have the opportunity not only to share its experience but also to learn from others in its quest to meet the nation's goals," he said.

This biggest conference among anti-corruption agencies from throughout the world will cover five key areas of workshops, intensely on anti-corruption efforts namely prevention, capacity building, operation, investigation and legal framework.

Speakers at the conference include European Partners Against Corruption (EPAC) president Martin Kreutner of Austria, European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) director-general Givanni Kessler, Malaysia's Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala and several others from the international police organisation (Interpol). - Bernama

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Published: Wednesday October 3, 2012 MYT 1:23:00 PM

PM: Malaysia recognises need to work with global community to combat corruption