The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is stepping up international cooperation to tackle cross-border corruption through stronger information sharing and closer engagement with foreign enforcement authorities.
The efforts were highlighted during MACC’s participation in the 7th Plenary Meeting of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network), held from Aug 25 to 28 at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) in Austria.
MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said the platform provided an opportunity for bilateral and multilateral discussions, knowledge sharing and exchanges on the latest developments in cross-border cooperation.
“Direct cooperation and fast, informal information exchanges between member authorities are crucial in supporting investigations, particularly when cases involve financial transactions, assets or individuals located overseas,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
The latest participation marked MACC’s fourth GlobE Network plenary meeting since Malaysia joined the international network in May 2023.
According to MACC, its continued involvement reflects the commission’s commitment to using international cooperation networks to support investigations into cross-border corruption, trace illicit financial flows and recover assets linked to criminal activities.
MACC Senior Director of Intelligence Datuk Saiful Ezral Arifin also shared Malaysia’s experience in handling cross-border corruption cases, including matters involving offshore jurisdictions.
He spoke during a panel session titled “Following the Money: Fake Invoices and Offshore Trails”, where he highlighted the legal and evidentiary challenges faced when investigators need to obtain information and evidence from other countries.
Such investigations can become particularly complex when evidence must comply with different legal requirements and jurisdictions, he said.
Abd Halim also led several bilateral meetings with enforcement authorities from Mauritius, the United Kingdom, China, Mongolia, Syria, Ukraine and Kuwait.
The discussions covered developments in ongoing cases as well as potential areas for closer cooperation between the respective authorities.
During the visit, Abd Halim also paid a courtesy call on the Malaysian Embassy in Vienna to strengthen ties between MACC and Malaysia’s diplomatic representatives in Austria.
MACC said its participation in the 7th GlobE Network Plenary further strengthens Malaysia’s role within the international anti-corruption enforcement community, particularly in cross-border investigations, asset tracing and efforts to combat illicit financial flows.
The meeting also focused on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology in corruption investigations, alongside discussions on improving the network’s performance, financial sustainability and strategic direction.
