malaysiang
KUALA LUMPUR: The appointment of Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), as the president of the Assembly of Parties (AoP) of the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) signifies a landmark achievement for Malaysia, offering a platform for substantial contributions to anti-corruption policy-making on both regional and international stages.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki emphasized that this prestigious appointment, the first for Malaysia, underscores the country’s growing influence and commitment to combating corruption. “I am confident that, under Azalina’s leadership, Malaysia’s position in advancing global anti-corruption initiatives will be significantly elevated. Her appointment reflects the trust of the international community in Malaysia’s unwavering dedication to combating corruption,” he stated in a recent announcement.
Azalina was appointed a
s the President of the 13th session of the AoP IACA during the assembly at the Vienna International Centre last Wednesday. In her new role, she will lead the AoP Bureau and the IACA, which encompasses 77 countries and four international organizations, in formulating policies and strategies to bolster the academy’s role in professional anti-corruption education and training.
Since the initiation of AoP IACA’s first session in 2012, Malaysia has been elected vice president in four sessions: 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2023. In the same statement, Azam announced his reappointment as a member of the IACA Board of Governors for the 2024-2027 term, following the recent AoP meeting in Vienna. He highlighted that this role will enable Malaysia to continue providing valuable insights and guiding IACA’s strategic direction, further cementing the country’s leadership in anti-corruption efforts.
“This reappointment is a testament to the recognition of Malaysia’s expertise and dedication to anti-corruption efforts,” Azam adde
d. Meanwhile, Prof. Datuk Dr Kassim Noor Mohamed, Vice Chancellor of the Enforcement, Leadership and Management University (ELMU), lauded Azalina’s appointment as a significant achievement for the nation. He noted that this global recognition was overdue and marked a promising advancement for Malaysia on the international stage.
Kassim acknowledged Azalina and Azam’s appointments as pivotal for propelling anti-corruption efforts within Malaysia. “We should be proud of the appointment because, in many ways, it acknowledges and recognizes the seriousness of the government in the fight against corruption. However, the fight against corruption has still a very long way to go, more needs to be done without fear or favor,” he emphasized, underlining the necessity for sustained government action and unwavering commitment from the MACC.
According to the statement, these leadership roles are anticipated to enhance Malaysia’s influence in global anti-corruption discussions and fortify the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Ac
ademy (MACA) as a leading training center in the Asia-Pacific region. With these developments, both public officials and anti-corruption advocates are hopeful for a renewed and more vigorous drive against corruption, reflecting Malaysia’s commitment to upholding integrity and transparency both domestically and internationally.
