KUALA LUMPUR (Mar 13): The implementation of the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Act 711) and Witness Protection Act 2009 (Act 696) has shown positive impact, says the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Director Agency Integrity Management Division Norazlan Mohd Razali said there was now increased awareness among the public to report offers of bribes to the MACC.

"People are confident of making a report as protection is given under the law to persons who lodge a report on corruption matters through the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Act 711) and Witness Protection Act 2009 (Act 696)," he said at a forum on 'Business and Anti-Corruption in Asean' organised by the Asean CSR Network here today.

Last year, MACC arrested 339 from the private sector and 170 from the public sector.

In 2012, 413 from the private sector and 288 from the public sector were arrested.

Norazlan said as Malaysia embarked toward a more global environment and the formation of an integrated Asean Community in 2015, businesses have more needs now than ever to have a strong internal control as well as governance which complied with international standards and various foreign legislations.

Businesses should also have sufficient internal auditing controls to assist in the prevention and detection of corruption.

The introduction of the Corporate Integrity Pledge (CIP) would likely create an effective system to increase integrity in the Malaysian corporate sector, through good governance, including anti-corruption measures, he said.

As of yesterday, a total of 397 entities, comprising private limited companies, government linked companies, multinational companies, small-and-medium enterprises, non-governmental organisations, government departments and professional bodies have signed up for the CIP.