Malaysia Welcomes Timor-Leste to ASEAN Anti-Corruption Body

Malaysia has warmly welcomed Timor-Leste's admission to the ASEAN Parties Against Corruption (ASEAN-PAC), viewing it as a significant step toward bolstering regional collaboration in combating corruption and promoting integrity across Southeast Asia.

Datuk Seri Abd. Halim Aman, Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), stated that Timor-Leste's inclusion in the 22nd ASEAN-PAC Secretariat Committee Meeting underscores a collective dedication to enhancing good governance and cross-border cooperation. He expressed Malaysia's pleasure in welcoming Timor-Leste, which he believes will complete ASEAN-PAC's membership and usher in a new era of collective efforts against corruption in the region.

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ASEAN-PAC has grown significantly since its inception. Today, it is not just a regional dialogue platform but a community uniting anti-corruption agencies with a common goal, mutual trust, and a shared commitment to strengthening integrity in the ASEAN region.

"ASEAN-PAC has grown significantly since its inception," Abd. Halim noted. "Today, it is not just a regional dialogue platform but a community uniting anti-corruption agencies with a common goal, mutual trust, and a shared commitment to strengthening integrity in the ASEAN region. Timor-Leste's participation will further solidify this cooperation, allowing the nation to share its experiences and benefit from the expertise of other member states in advancing the anti-corruption agenda."

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Timor-Leste's participation will further solidify this cooperation, allowing the nation to share its experiences and benefit from the expertise of other member states in advancing the anti-corruption agenda.

He also addressed the evolving landscape of global corruption, noting its increasing complexity driven by digital technology, cross-border financial systems, and sophisticated criminal networks. This trend, Abd. Halim stressed, necessitates stronger international cooperation, as no single country or agency can tackle these threats alone. "These growing challenges remind us that our true strength lies in our ability to collaborate, share knowledge, learn from each other, and develop practical solutions that can enhance public confidence in public institutions," he said.

During the two-day meeting, delegates focused on strengthening regional cooperation, expanding the use of digital innovation, sharing best practices, and ensuring ASEAN-PAC remains relevant in addressing new challenges. The MACC also acknowledged the ongoing support from international strategic partners, including the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and PIACCF, in enhancing capacity development.

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These growing challenges remind us that our true strength lies in our ability to collaborate, share knowledge, learn from each other, and develop practical solutions that can enhance public confidence in public institutions.