PUTRAJAYA, Sept 4 — Global watchdog Transparency International (TI) today said it will hold Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to his promise that the government will not act with impunity when dealing with suspected wrongdoers.

TI vice-chair Elena Panfilova welcomed Ahmad Zahid’s response to the graft watchdog’s criticism of Malaysia’s handling of transparency among its leadership, particularly on details of the RM2.6 billion donations deposited into Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s private bank accounts.

“And that is a wonderful news, we agree with him and we will hold him to account for his promise,” she said during the closing of the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference here.

Panfilova cited Zahid’s remarks as a sign that TI is not alone in its call for an end to impunity.

Yesterday, Zahid reportedly said Malaysia will win the war against corruption and also said that there will be no impunity.

“Those who are found to have violated the law will be charged and prosecuted. The prime minister has already made this clear, but let me repeat it: there will be no impunity,” he said.

On Wednesday, TI chief Jose Ugaz said at the conference’s opening ceremony that Malaysia will not progress in its fight against corruption if questions surrounding the RM2.6 billion remain unresolved.

Ugaz stressed that promises of reform by the government are insufficient, as the pressing need now is for answers or findings from an independent probe.

Today, Panfilova praised local anti-corruption efforts here, also expressing TI’s agreement with Malaysians who hit the streets last weekend for the Bersih 4 rally to press Najib for answers on the RM2.6 billion donations.

“At the end of the day, ending impunity is not about what we say, ending impunity is about what we do,” she said.

Najib had previously said that he has not taken any public funds for personal use.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is still probing the RM2.6 billion that it said was a donation from Middle Eastern sources.