Putrajaya, 3 February 2026 – Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki has announced that integrity officers will be placed in agencies under the Federal Territories Department according to systematic risk assessments, rather than blanket assignments across all units, a targeted approach aimed at bolstering governance and curbing corruption risks.
During a media briefing after a Cooperation Note signing between the MACC and the Federal Territories Department, Azam said the risk-based deployment is designed to ensure integrity resources are allocated where they are most needed to enhance oversight and preventive measures.
The Cooperation Note, signed in Putrajaya in the presence of the Federal Territories Minister, reflects a formal collaboration to improve systems, procedures and monitoring to prevent corruption and bribery within agencies under Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Putrajaya and Labuan jurisdictions. Azam emphasised that while the MACC will work closely with agencies that have formal agreements, it cannot inspect departments without a Cooperation Note unless there is credible information or ongoing investigations justifying their involvement.
Azam also underscored that past or closed cases can be reopened if new evidence or leads emerge, stressing the MACC’s mandate under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act to investigate corruption irrespective of when it occurred.
Under the new approach, the MACC will conduct risk evaluations across Federal Territories agencies to determine whether an integrity unit is necessary and how many officers should be seconded to that unit. Azam declined to specify which agencies may be at higher risk, saying definitive assessments will come only after proper evaluation.
Meanwhile, the minister representing the Federal Territories Department reiterated that standard operating procedures will be reviewed and tightened under the partnership to eliminating loopholes that could leave room for bribery to occur, while calling on the public to play an active role in not offering bribes.
