SUBANG JAYA: Asean member states should strengthen regional integrity through shared accountability and closer public-private cooperation in the fight against corruption, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
She said Asean’s fast-paced development must remain anchored in transparency, integrity and justice to ensure that economic progress does not come at the expense of public trust.
"The values that safeguard fairness and justice must remain at the core of Asean’s progress. Integrity is not merely a moral duty but the foundation of inclusive and sustainable societies,” she said in her remarks at the opening of the 21st Asean Parties Against Corruption (Asean-PAC) Principals Meeting here Tuesday (Oct 28).
Azalina said the forum serves as a key platform for member states to exchange ideas and forge new frameworks to strengthen regional anti-graft cooperation. She also witnessed the handover of the Asean-PAC Chairmanship from Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Vice Chairman Fitroh Rohcahyanto to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
She said Malaysia’s ongoing legal and institutional reforms reflect the country’s belief that the fight against corruption must transcend borders and be embraced as a regional mission.
Meanwhile, Azam said Malaysia’s assumption of the Asean-PAC Chairmanship symbolises both a regional responsibility and a renewed commitment to strengthening solidarity among anti-corruption institutions.
"This is not just a ceremonial role, but a solemn responsibility to deepen our shared mission in defending integrity and good governance,” he said, adding that Malaysia’s Chairmanship will focus on empowering Asean’s anti-graft collaboration through innovation, digital coordination and knowledge exchange.
He also announced the launch of the Asean-PAC Portal, a digital platform to facilitate coordination and promote transparency among member agencies, highlighting the importance of aligning integrity with economic competitiveness.
Meanwhile, outgoing Chairman Fitroh Rohcahyanto expressed appreciation to all Asean-PAC members for their continued support throughout Indonesia’s Chairmanship, including the successful implementation of regional initiatives such as the Asean-PAC Capacity Building Workshop and Anti-Corruption Film Festival.
"With Malaysia at the helm, we are confident Asean-PAC will continue to provide substantive recommendations to the Asean Summit and play a greater role in shaping anti-corruption policy across the region,” he said.
The three-day meeting, which ends on Oct 30, brought together the region’s top anti-corruption officials along with international partners, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the United Nations Development Programme. - Bernama
