PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Brunei Darussalam's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) are strengthening cooperation in investigations and intelligence to combat cross-border corruption more effectively.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said close collaboration between the two agencies was crucial, particularly in intelligence sharing, investigative assistance and operational coordination.
"We hope the existing cooperation between MACC and ACB will be further strengthened through more effective information sharing, better communication and more efficient coordination of enforcement actions," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 14).
The statement followed the 19th MACC-ACB Working Group Meeting on Cooperation in Investigations and Intelligence Operations, held alongside a joint operational briefing here on Tuesday (Oct 13).
Organised by MACC's investigation division, the meeting provided a platform for coordinating cross-border assistance requests, sharing intelligence and exchanging enforcement experience.
During the meeting, MACC shared its experience in asset recovery involving the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case and the use of polygraph testing in investigations.
The ACB, meanwhile, proposed a cross-border cooperation framework to address cases involving suspects fleeing across the Malaysia-Brunei border and discussed requests for investigative assistance.
Ahmad Khusairi said both agencies should give due attention to the matters discussed, including continued cooperation in training and capacity building.
ACB assistant director Rahimah Hassan expressed hope that the exchanges would strengthen communication channels and help identify areas for future mutual assistance, including in Brunei.
She said the cooperation would benefit both agencies through the exchange of knowledge, experience and expertise in addressing enforcement challenges.
