A HIGH-LEVEL forum on sustainable development, themed “Empowering People and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality”, was held at the United Nations headquarters this month.
It included a three-day ministerial meeting.
Sustainable development goals (SDGs) were discussed, including SDG 16, which is the commitment to fight corruption, increase transparency, tackle illicit financial flows and improve access to information.
SDG 16 is not only a key enabler of the 2030 Agenda, but is also critical to the agenda’s 17 goals because corruption hurts economies, peoples and governments.
Anti-corruption efforts are essential to make progress on sustainable development.
Corruption has a negative impact on the environment, our ability to make partnerships and to maintain peace. It needs to be stopped.
Corruption in a government is manifested through abuse of power for private or personal gain.
Anti-corruption efforts strengthen the institutions needed to deliver public services, boost gender equality and human rights, secure resources to help state capacity building and bring about governance, integrity, transparency and accountability in development approaches.
As for Malaysia, besides the National Anti-corruption Plan (2019-2023), it is important to address the three priorities of the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goal: rule of law and access to justice; illicit financial flows, stolen assets and organised crime; and stopping corruption and bribery.
This is to ensure that all institutions establish checks and balances, self-discipline and build on governance, integrity, transparency and accountability, which are essential to fight corruption.
Dr K.M. Loi
Subang Jaya, Selangor