Azalina elected as president of Int'l Anti-Corruption Academy

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Azalina Othman Said has been elected as president of the 13th Session of the Assembly of Parties (AOP) of the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA).

It marks the first time Malaysia held the presidency of the global anti-corruption body.

Wisma Putra, in a statement, hailed Azalina’s unanimous election, held in Vienna on Wednesday as a historical milestone that reinforces the nation’s commitment to anti-corruption efforts.

The ministry expressed gratitude for IACA’s trust and support for Azalina, adding that it affirmed the international recognition of the Madani government’s commitment to combat corruption while also acknowledging its personal confidence in Azalina’s leadership in law reforms and governance.

“Malaysia remains committed to working closely with the IACA and its strategic partners to advance the anti-corruption agenda and uphold the principles of good governance and justice worldwide,” it said.

The IACA, since its establishment in 2011 in Austria, has served as a global centre of excellence for research as well as a training hub focused on professionals, particularly from anti-corruption agencies.

Malaysia, through the MACC, plays an active role in the IACA and has held the assembly’s vice-president’s position on four occasions.

Great honour

Azalina said the appointment as the president of AOP of the IACA is a great honour for Malaysia and demonstrates the commitment of the government in the fight against corruption at the global level.

She said the appointment marks the international community’s recognition and trust in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s strong commitment and firm stance on corruption, which is a globally known fact.

“This appointment not only provides Malaysia the opportunity to show the country’s commitment and leadership in the fight against corruption internationally but also serves as a mandate to bring about more meaningful change in the global effort to combat corruption,” she said in a statement yesterday.

The Prime Minister’s Department’s Legal Affairs Division, in the same statement, said this historic appointment marks the first time Malaysia is entrusted with the highest position in the AOP IACA, a key platform for global capacity building in anti-corruption efforts.

Azalina will lead the AOP Bureau and the IACA, consisting of 77 countries and four international organisations, in shaping policies and strategies for the IACA to strengthen the academy’s role in professional anti-corruption education and training.

Since the commencement of the assembly’s first session in 2012, Malaysia has only been elected vice president in four sessions, specifically in 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2023.

Free from corruption

According to the statement, IACA’s recognition of Malaysia complements the country's various anti-corruption initiatives, including the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2028, which aims to combat corruption and promote integrity, transparency, and accountability across various sectors.

“This also includes several initiatives actively carried out by the division, comprising legal reforms to improve governance by drafting the Freedom of Information Bill, amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act, and updates to the Trustees Act.

“Malaysia is confident that the trust of an international body like IACA will drive the country towards becoming a corruption-free nation, ensuring the goal to rank among the top 25 countries in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index within the next 10 years becomes a reality,” read the statement.

The statement also noted that MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki has been reappointed as an IACA Board of Governors member for the 2024-2027 session.

It said Azam’s role on the board will give Malaysia an advantage in setting the direction of IACA and ensuring a more effective anti-corruption agenda.

“Indirectly, this appointment also helps strengthen the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy as a reputable anti-corruption training centre in the Asia-Pacific region,” it added.

Since its establishment in 2011 in Austria, IACA has served as an international centre of excellence and research for combating corruption and a key training hub for professionals, mainly within anti-corruption agencies.

- Bernama

COMMENT | Why does Madani govt still defend political appointments?

Politicians only barred from posts in financial institutions, PM clarifies

Transfer officers to stop them from gaining corrupt power - MP

Include Corruption Perception Index in KPI to improve governance - Lee

COMMENT | Words on corruption must be matched with deeds

MACC to focus on retrieving assets stolen by the corrupt: Azam