Special Task Force for Corruption Perception Index (CPI) establishes focus group
KUALA LUMPUR: The establishment of a Focus Group by the Special Task Force for the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) is expected to improve Malaysia’s score and ranking on the index, propelling the country into the top 25 globally within the next 10 years.
According to Berita Harian, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) stated that among the functions of the task force is to propose improvements to government policies and examine measures to accelerate reforms in the public sector.
It noted that this initiative also aims to enhance stakeholder confidence in the government’s efforts to strengthen governance and anti-corruption measures.
“There are six priority areas that need to be addressed: enforcement, public fund management, business competitiveness, investment risks, legislation, and strategic communication.
“The objective of the focus group, which comprises representatives from public agencies, the private sector, business chambers, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), is to implement actions related to improving the CPI according to their respective priority areas.
“It will also report to the National Governance Planning Division (BPGN), while the MACC serves as the secretariat for the CPI Special Task Force,” it stated.
The statement mentioned that the group held its first meeting today, chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Government, Datuk Seri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, along with the Chief Commissioner of MACC, Tan Sri Azam Baki.
This initiative aligns with the First Reform Success Core: Embracing Values and Governance in the Public Service Reform Agenda and the seven main targets of the MADANI Economy.
The focus group includes representatives from the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC), the Ministry of Finance, the Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC), the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) of the Prime Minister’s Department, and the Ministry of Communications.
The team also consists of relevant Chief Secretaries from ministries, departments, and government agencies.
Furthermore, the task force includes a lineup of experts, such as the Chairman of Bursa Malaysia, Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar; the Chairman of BERNAMA, Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai; the President of Transparency International-Malaysia, Dr. Muhammad Mohan; a member of the MACC Operations Evaluation Panel, Dr. Mazlan Ahmad; and Senior Lecturer in Political Sociology at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Prof. Datuk Dr. Sivamurugan Pandian.
The task force emphasizes that the effort to improve the CPI is the responsibility of all parties, not solely under the MACC.
The findings of the task force will be reported in the National Governance Special Cabinet Committee Meeting (JKKTN) chaired by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.