PUTRAJAYA, 16 March - The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has organised the 8th Annual Meeting of the Economic Crime Agencies Network (ECAN) 2022 virtually here today.

The meeting which took place for two days on 16 and 17 March 2022, was chaired by the MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention), Datuk Seri Norazlan Mohd Razali.

Meanwhile, the MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations), Dato' Sri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said the techniques of conducting investigations involving corruption offenses and the modus operandi trends of perpetrators should be implemented following current developments, especially for cases related to economic crimes. Thus, the conventional approach is no longer suitable to use where new plans need to be drawn up to meet future challenges.

“It is important for each ECAN member to hold discussions and share experiences on an ongoing basis so that risks and threats related to economic crimes can be detected.

“In addition, the economic sectors and borders will be opened gradually, where cross border criminal activities are believed to increase the risk of corruption. Therefore, cooperation between all parties is needed to address the issue," he explained.

He added that the technique of conducting investigations in corruption offenses and the trend of the modus operandi of perpetrators should be implemented in line with the latest development, especially for cases related to economic crimes.

He said this while officiating the meeting where he was representing the MACC Chief Commissioner, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Azam Baki.

In the meeting, Dato' Sri Ahmad Khusairi also shared the holistic approach used by the MACC in fighting corruption; among them, enforcement through detection, investigation and prosecution of cases as well as corruption prevention and community education, in addition to using Intelligence Based Investigation (IBI) approach for gathering information and evidence.

The meeting was entitled, 'Economic Crime: Endangering National Security', and attended by representatives of 10 countries. It is a platform for the members to share experiences as well as generate new ideas and formulate strategies to combat economic crimes that threaten national security.

Also present at the meeting was the Director of the MACC Policy, Planning and Research Division, TPj Mohd Hafaz Nazar.