KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must strengthen its preventive measures, embrace technology and uphold the highest standards of integrity to tackle increasingly complex corruption threats.
MACC strategic communications director Hisyam Mohd Yusoff (pic) said the commission's 59-year journey was not merely about the number of cases investigated or individuals brought to justice, but also its ability to uphold integrity, ensure justice, address systemic weaknesses and maintain public confidence.
He said this year's celebration was centred on three principles – remembering, appreciating and continuing – highlighting the trust, sacrifices and service passed down from one generation to the next.
Hisyam said the commission's evolution from the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to MACC demonstrated the need to adapt continuously to changing times, particularly in investigations, intelligence, forensics, technology, financial analysis, asset recovery and international cooperation.
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“Corruption cannot be fought through a static approach. Crime changes, technology changes and methods of concealing the proceeds of corruption change. The capabilities of the institution must therefore evolve accordingly,” he said in conjunction with the commission's 59th anniversary recently.
He also highlighted the importance of recognising the contributions of MACC personnel, stressing that the commission's achievements were the result of collective efforts by investigators, intelligence officers, prevention teams, prosecutors, forensic specialists and support staff.
The principle of “One Team, One MACC” should foster cooperation across departments and ranks, he said, adding that solidarity must never be used as an excuse to protect wrongdoing.
Instead, he said, personnel must have the courage to correct one another and help colleagues return to the right path without compromising principles or the law.
Hisyam described integrity as the “heart” of MACC, saying that even the most advanced technology, robust laws and highly skilled officers would be meaningless if integrity was neglected.
He said the commission must maintain particularly high internal standards, with conflicts of interest, abuse of power, misconduct and information leaks treated seriously.
He also called for greater willingness to acknowledge and address organisational weaknesses, including those involving procurement, investments, asset management, appointments and internal controls.
Identified weaknesses must lead to corrective action and better governance to prevent similar problems from recurring, he said.
“Success is not only about detecting wrongdoing, but also about improving systems before the same misconduct happens again,” he said.
On corruption prevention, Hisyam said MACC must move beyond a reactive approach towards more proactive, targeted and risk-based measures.
Investigation findings, data and risk analysis should be used to identify vulnerabilities that could create opportunities for corruption before offences occur.
He said prevention should go beyond awareness campaigns and anti-corruption education to include improvements to systems and work processes.
Integrity units should also be strengthened as strategic partners to management, enabling them to identify risks early and address weaknesses in organisational systems.
Hisyam said MACC must also accelerate its adoption of technology as financial crimes become more complex, transactions increasingly cross borders and the volume of data continues to grow.
He said the commission needed to make better strategic use of data, strengthen intelligence capabilities, improve financial analysis and ensure forensic expertise kept pace with technological developments.
Integrated digital enforcement systems and advanced data analytics should ultimately lead to better decisions, faster processes, stronger evidence and fewer opportunities for corruption, he added.
However, he stressed that technology remained a tool, with its true value depending on how effectively it was used to strengthen enforcement and prevent wrongdoing.
Hisyam said public trust remained the ultimate measure of the commission's effectiveness.
MACC must demonstrate that every report received proper attention, every action was based on facts and every duty was carried out professionally and with integrity, he said.
He added that public confidence could only be built through consistent action, fair decisions, transparent processes and the daily discharge of responsibilities.
He also described younger MACC personnel as the next generation who would shape the commission's future, saying their ideas and fresh perspectives should be combined with the experience of their predecessors.
As the commission marked its 59th anniversary, Hisyam said the occasion should serve as an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and determine the direction of its future efforts.
He said the legacy left behind by each generation of officers should be measured by whether they had safeguarded the institution's integrity, fulfilled their responsibilities and left the organisation in a better condition than when they joined it.
“Corruption may not be eradicated overnight, but MACC's true success should not be measured solely by the number of cases resolved. It should also be measured by its ability to improve systems, close opportunities for corruption and rebuild public confidence,” he said.
