New strategies: Azam says the agency will be undergoing structural reforms.
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s main focus for next year will be combating grand corruption and recovering misappropriated national assets and funds.
Its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the agency also plans to tackle corruption in procurement and enforcement while transforming its structure to enhance operational efficiency.
He said this transformation aims to improve areas such as work processes, and to empower the functions and roles of each division to be more effective in carrying out its duties.
“As chief commissioner, I will revamp MACC’s approaches, including work practices and the mindset of our officers, to avoid complacency.
“The transformation process is necessary to increase efficiency and expertise so that officers are more professional and carry out impactful work,” he told Bernama.
He said emphasis would be placed on governance investigations through the rebranding of the inspection and consultancy division to the governance investigation division.
Azam said in addition, MACC will review all standard operating procedures related to the Chief Commissioner’s Standing Order to address current challenges as corruption cases are getting more complex.
“Based on the strength of the current staff, it is important to adopt the right approach by re-evaluating the strategies used by all sectors within the agency.”
Azam thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for increasing the allocation for the MACC in Budget 2025
“I would also like to thank the Prime Minister for approving an additional 200 officers for the commission.
“We are working closely with the Public Services Commission for this recruitment process.
“The additional officers will strengthen our operational division, especially in areas involving money laundering and high-profile cases in line with the strategy set for 2025 and the coming years,” he said.
He said the officers will also be utilised to promote good governance, especially in the public sector, strengthen international cooperation with various countries and support more impactful prevention and education programmes.
Anwar when tabling Budget 2025 announced an increased allocation for MACC, from RM338mil it received this year to RM360mil in 2025.
The Prime Minister had also said the government has given full freedom for the commission to investigate and take strict action to bring corruption offenders to justice.
