MACC CONFIDENT MALAYSIA CAN ACHIEVE 25TH PLACE IN CPI BY 2033

MANJUNG, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is confident that Malaysia can achieve its target of 25th position in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranking by 2033, provided all parties work together with MACC.

Its deputy chief commissioner (Prevention), Datuk Seri Norazlan Mohd Razali, said that while it would not be easy, he was confident the target can be met if everyone unites to improve the country's CPI score and ranking.

He believes efforts to combat corruption and promote a culture of integrity should not solely rely on MACC’s enforcement actions or educational initiatives, as it is a shared responsibility among all Malaysian citizens.

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"We cannot expect MACC to work alone while society dreams of making Malaysia a corruption-free country. Malaysia can only reduce its corruption rate if all stakeholders think, strive, act, and engage directly in the fight against corruption. This collaboration is absolutely crucial," he said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the MACC Manjung branch today.

Also present were MACC deputy chief commissioner (Management and Professionalism) Datuk Junipah Wandi and Perak MACC state director, Datuk Ahmad Sabri Mohamed.

Malaysia's CPI in 2023 increased by three points to 50, compared to 47 in 2022, placing the country in 57th position out of 180 countries, up from 61st in 2022 and in the ASEAN rankings, Malaysia is in second place, behind Singapore, which recorded a score of 83 and ranked 5th globally.

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When tabling the Budget 2025, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance Minister, announced an increase in MACC's allocation to RM360 million in 2025, compared to RM338 million last year.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Sabri added that the MACC leadership had agreed to relocate the MACC Teluk Intan branch office to Manjung, given Manjung's strategic position and rapid economic development transformation.

"The new MACC Manjung branch is located at Jalan Datuk Ahmad Yunus, near Sitiawan, and was previously the Sitiawan Public Library since 1990. It was handed over to the Perak MACC on June 5 this year and is equipped with a branch chief's room, officer workspaces, a complaint room, and an operations control room.

“The Manjung branch will carry out its functions not only within the district but also cover the Perak Tengah, Bagan Datuk, and Hilir Perak districts," he said adding that from 2020 to 2023, Perak MACC had received 63 reports and complaints related to corruption in Manjung, averaging about 16 reports per year.

"From 2020 until Oct 31, 2024, 21 investigation papers have been opened, 10 of which were opened this year, while 11 cases have been charged in court," he said.

-- BERNAMA