Public policy needs to be strengthened through research, reliable data - MACC chief

PUTRAJAYA - Public policy development needs to be strengthened through quality research, reliable data and comprehensive analysis to ensure that every decision made truly benefits the people and the country as a whole.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said the approach was in line with the practice of ‘evidence-based policymaking’, which is increasingly being adopted internationally, whereby policies are formulated based on evidence, data and objective assessments.

"Research is important to identify weaknesses in systems, assess risks, measure the effectiveness of policies and propose more sustainable improvements.

"From 2020 to 2025, a total of 50 research topics involving governance, integrity and anti-corruption issues were selected and carried out by local research entities through grants under the National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC),” he said in his speech when officiating the 5th National Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Research Conference 2026 here today.

Themed ‘MADANI Pemangkin Tatakelola Berintegriti ke Arah Malaysia Bebas Rasuah’ (MADANI as a catalyst for integrity-driven governance towards a corruption-free Malaysia), he said it was in line with the Malaysia MADANI concept, which was formulated to map out effective strategies for the governance and administration of the country, as well as in keeping with the fourth key strategic thrust under the Malaysia MADANI framework, namely creating trustworthy administration.

He said that to ensure all the research findings could be utilised more widely and not end with their presentation at the conference, the MACC had developed a compilation report of conferences for 2022 to 2025.

It brings together the research findings and outcomes presented during the period as a reference and knowledge-sharing resource in efforts to strengthen the governance, integrity and anti-corruption agenda.

"The findings of the research not only contribute to the advancement of knowledge and strengthen discourse on governance, but also help the government and stakeholders identify corruption-related risks and issues, while proposing appropriate and effective measures for improvement,” he said.

Abd Halim hoped that the research findings and compilation would continue to be used as references in policy formulation, as well as in improving systems and work processes.

"They can also be used in the development of evidence-based anti-corruption strategies. Through this approach, research efforts can not only generate knowledge but also translate it into action and improvements that strengthen governance, integrity, and anti-corruption efforts.

He also expressed hope that the conference would serve as a platform to strengthen collaborative networks between researchers and policymakers, and that every research finding presented today would be viewed as a basis for improving policies, systems and work processes, towards building institutions that are more transparent, accountable and have integrity. - BERNAMA