The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is expanding its working relationship with Transparency International (TI) as both organisations pursue shared goals in strengthening governance, integrity and anti-corruption efforts. The partnership was underscored during a recent meeting at MACC headquarters in Putrajaya, where TI chair François Valerian met with MACC deputy chief commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Azmi Kamaruzaman.

During the visit, Azmi highlighted MACC's appreciation for the established working ties with TI and reiterated the commission's determination to deepen collaboration across multiple fronts. "MACC is committed to expanding existing cooperation and exploring new areas of collaboration that can contribute to strengthening the integrity system," the agency stated in a statement following the meeting.

Through its National Governance Planning Division, MACC serves as the principal secretariat for the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) Special Task Force. Operating across six dedicated CPI focus groups, the commission collaborates extensively with government ministries, public agencies, universities, businesses and non-governmental organisations to analyse factors influencing Malaysia's CPI standing. Recent efforts have yielded tangible results, with Malaysia's 2025 CPI score climbing from 50 to 52 points and its global ranking improving from 57th to 54th position.

Valerian emphasized that sustainable CPI improvements require combining robust preventive strategies with consistent enforcement measures. He voiced TI's willingness to work alongside anti-corruption bodies to help nations elevate their performance on the index. Valerian stressed the importance of adequately resourcing anti-corruption agencies with sufficient funding and skilled personnel while maintaining their independence from political pressures.

Malaysia has set an ambitious target of reaching the top 25 globally in CPI rankings by 2030, an objective that Valerian commended during the discussion. The strengthened partnership between MACC and TI positions both organisations to support this goal through coordinated initiatives and knowledge-sharing that address systemic corruption challenges.