PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is prioritising technology integration in its fight against increasingly sophisticated corruption tactics, says its chief Tan Sri Azam Baki (pic).
“To stay ahead,” he said at the Third International Conference in Technology, Humanities and Management (ICTHM) 2025 yesterday, “MACC is continuously enhancing its capabilities, competencies, and capacity in terms of human resources and investigative tools. Beyond generic competencies, we are also developing specialised skills for our officers.”
He also said that MACC’s forensic laboratory received an accreditation certificate from the Standards Malaysia Department, which allowed its digital forensic analysis to be recognised globally.
Big data analytics, he added, are employed by the MACC’s Financial Analysis Department to process vast amounts of data from diverse sources, enabling the detection of red flags.
“Their expertise is critical at every stage of an investigation, from information gathering to the initiation of open investigation,” he explained. “These efforts collectively bolster our ability to combat corruption effectively and with precision.”
Azam said that the integration of technology in governance would also play an important role in improving transparency, efficiency and accountability while minimising corruption and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Citing the use of digital platforms such as e-procurement, Azam stated that this would ensure transparency in public procurement processes.
He added that transparency in bidding and contracts greatly reduced opportunities for corruption and favouritism.
“Other than that, transitioning to cashless systems reduces opportunities for bribery and leakages in public funds.
“Governments can ensure that subsidies, welfare and salaries are transferred directly to beneficiaries’ accounts without the involvement of intermediaries.”
The MACC is also committed to collaborating with various stakeholders including academia, anti-corruption agencies, international organisations and civil society, he said.
“From this perspective, I am proud to state here that the cooperation established between MACC and ACC Maldives (Anti-Corruption Commission of Maldives) last year has begun to yield positive results for both parties.“Several sessions of knowledge, skill and experience sharing have also been conducted, reflecting our commitment to combating corruption and abuse of power.
“It is my hope that this collaboration can be expanded to encompass various other aspects that will bring benefits and impact to both countries,” said Azam.
The conference also featured speakers from Malaysia, Thailand and the Maldives, with a total of 44 papers relating to the theme of “Sustainable Future: Managing the Digital-Human Shift” being presented.
