PUTRAJAYA, Aug 26 — Malaysia has been recognised as a “model” nation in the fight against graft worldwide after it was picked to host the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) 2015, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) Datuk Mustafar Ali said today.

The deputy commissioner in charge of the agency’s graft-prevention department said Malaysia was chosen to host the prestigious conference because of the admiration towards Putrajaya’s commitment to battle graft.

The forum is organised by the IACC, Transparency International (TI) and Transparency-International-Malaysia (TI-M).

“The MACC, particularly Malaysia, was chosen to become the host this time because it is seen as a country that is committed to battle graft in Asia.

“Malaysia is seen as a model nation in the fight against corruption not only  domestically, but internationally as well,” Mustafar told a press conference announcing the event here.

He further said that many of the policies put forward by the MACC in the fight against corruption have also been recognised by the international community.

It is understood that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was initially scheduled to inaugurate the conference which will take place for four days beginning September 2.

But he has since pulled out. No explanation was given.

Mustafar said the conference will be a platform for global anti-graft experts, including Malaysia’s, to share and showcase their experiences in battling corruption.

When asked what would Malaysia highlight as its own successes at the conference, Mustafar pointed to some MACC policies, like the introduction of the corporate integrity pledge and a public blacklist data for corruption convicts as examples.

“These are some of the best practices in the world,” he said.

Mustafar also said among those to table a paper on combating graft is Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

“His fight against the timber tycoons are admirable and he can share the success of a state government’s anti-graft efforts,” said the senior MACC officer.

Over 130 countries will take part in the conference with more than 180 papers to be tabled for deliberation by academics and NGO anti-graft experts.

Among the topics to be discussed are “what are the people’s power and how does it impact corruption and impunity” and “collective action against corruption”.