International Conference on Financial Criminology: Attaining sustainable development goals through financial transparency

“The shady activities between the private sector and corrupt public officials are able to thrive in a condition of heavy bureaucracy and the lack of transparency in government procurement processes,” said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, at the 12th International Conference on Financial Criminology at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom today.

Azam said this in his Keynote Address at the Opening of the international conference on the theme of “attaining sustainable development goals through financial transparency.”

He said that financial crimes remain pervasive and is contributing to the on-going illegal activity relating to the environment, as well as leakages in government procurement for the development of the country.

“Financial crimes and corruption pose threats to national security, equitable economic development, environmental sustainability, promotion of renewable energy, action against climate change and the sustainable goals to end hunger and poverty,” he added.

Azam added that the MACC faced many challenges to ensure that culprits are brought to justice. However, the combination of effective intelligence is key to successful investigation.

For example, there are a number of high profile cases that are still on trial as well as a recent one that has received the court's verdict.

“This comes after a long struggle for the MACC - our hard work to investigate this complex case, to recover our nation’s assets and to help in the successful prosecution has come to fruition, and still the work continues,” he said.

Noting that the successes have also come with a price, where the institution had been under constant attacks from various parties, he took the opportunity to thank his officers for their courage and fortitude in doing the right thing and to stand by him in the face of tremendous pressures.

“As a custodian of integrity, good governance and anti-corruption, we have to stand steadfast coupled with impeccable resolve and perseverance in upholding our mandated trust and responsibility, no matter what challenges we face, without fear or favour,” he said.

Also present are Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Dato’ Sri Ahmad Khusairi, Director of Special Operations Division Dato’ Tan Kang Sai, Director of Anti-money Laundering Division Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin, Director of Financial Analysis Division Mohd Azwan Ramli, as well as guest speakers Prof Dr Rob McCusker, Transnational Crime Director Global Risk Alliance Ltd, United Kingdom, and Dr Hendra Susanto, Audit Board Member Republic of Indonesia.