KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) conviction rate has increased to more than 80 per cent from 60 per cent previously, the anti-graft agency’s head has said.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed also told local daily New Sunday Times in an interview that the MACC has started using intelligence and going undercover to expose corruption, instead of waiting for people to provide evidence.

“In the last few years, we have achieved more than an 80 per cent in conviction rate,” Abu Kassim was quoted saying in the interview published today.

“Previously, it was 60 per cent. This is not only because of the work of MACC, but also because of the contributions of the deputy public prosecutors in MACC and at the A-G’s Chambers,” he added.

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Abu Kassim also said the anti-graft agency was targeting to be among the lowest 20 per cent of countries ranked in global corruption watchdog Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI).

“If the private sector refuses to offer bribes, we will see a reduction. Similarly, if the younger generation refuses to be involved in corruption, we will also see a reduction,” he said.

Malaysia fared slightly better in the 2014 CPI last December, ranking 50th out of 175 countries, with a lower ranking denoting a greater perception of corruption.

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