Malaysia will create an ombudsman with a broad mandate to enhance integrity and transparency, with the bill set for Parliament early next year.
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is set to establish Ombudsman Malaysia to strengthen integrity and transparency across the public sector.
The decision was reached at a meeting of the Special Cabinet Committee on National Governance chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said the ombudsman’s mandate will cover maladministration, misconduct, whistleblower protection and freedom of information.
“The Ombudsman Bill will be tabled in Parliament early next year,” the MACC said in a statement.
The meeting also discussed four sub-strategies under the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. These include an integrated Digital Procurement System by the Finance Ministry and the drafting of a Freedom of Information Bill by the Legal Affairs Division.
The other strategies are the digital rollout of an i-Kad for foreign students overseen by the Home Ministry and tax incentives for companies accredited under an anti-bribery management system.
The committee also welcomed proposals for new legislation to regulate state-owned enterprises. Under this legislation, the establishment and reporting of SOEs must be presented in Parliament to ensure transparency.
“The SOE Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament at the end of 2026,” the statement added.
Regarding the Integrity and Governance Management System unveiled last week, the MACC said it is a national initiative to foster a culture of integrity. SPINE will be fully implemented across all federal and state public agencies starting next month.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other senior officials.
