The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) welcomes the government's move to amend laws on corruption to facilitate efforts to eliminate the practice.

MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed said the move was in line with the call made by the commission and other independent bodies monitoring MACC, like the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board and the Special Committee of Corruption.

"Although the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 is a better law compared with the one before the 2008 era, several new provisions are welcomed," he said in a statement yesterday.

He said the move would also be in line with the motion passed by the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and also the South-East Asia Parties Against Corruption (SEA-PAC) last week.

"The MACC is confident the amendments, if they become a reality, will give more room to address corruption.

"MACC also hopes that all parties, including political parties, will give their support when the proposed amendments are tabled in Parliament," he added.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, when addressing the monthly assembly of the Prime Minister's Department on Monday, said the government proposed to amend relevant laws next year to impose heavier penalties on those who offer or give bribes.