Transparency International vice-president Elena Panfilova today said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will be held to account for his pledge that there will be no impunity with regard to corruption cases in the country.

"This is wonderful news. We agree with him. Totally agree with him.

"We will watch him and we hold him to account for his words," she told participants during the closing of the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Putrajaya this evening.

Panfilova said that ultimately, talk must be followed with action.

"At the end of the day, ending impunity is not about what you say, it is what you do," she added.

Panfilova also made reference to Bersih 4, stating she agreed with the movement's demand for Najib to explain the US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) in his personal bank accounts.

"We agree with the thousands of Malaysian people who took to the streets last weekend to support the call that the prime minister must answer the very simple question of the US$700 million that went into his personal bank account.

"It's easy to answer questions. We do that all the time," she said.

Najib had denied taking public funds for personal gain while his supporters claim the sum was "political donation" from the Middle East.

However, the premier's explanation was dismissed by several international anti-graft figures at the three-day conference with calls for Najib to properly explain the matter.

Zahid yesterday addressed this criticism, stating it was "unfortunate for heads of international NGOs to come to Malaysia, only to be duped into recycling baseless allegations and unwittingly involving themselves in the country’s internal politics".

“We are confident we will win the war against corruption, and will continue reforms to improve integrity and transparency within the public and the private sectors.

"Those who are found to have violated the law will be charged and prosecuted. The prime minister has made this clear, but let me repeat it: there will be no impunity," he added.