A free press is "even more important" than an independent judiciary in moves to combat corruption in Malaysia, said Param Cumaraswamy, the new president of Transparency International Malaysia.

In an exclusive interview with malaysiakini on what it would take to reduce corruption, he said the government's stated mission would not succeed without press freedom.

"I put a lot of premium on press freedom. Sometimes, I say it is even more important than an independent judiciary. A free press is vital for an effective democracy," he said.