Cambodia Assures Malaysia on Anti-Corruption Efforts, Signs Pact

PHNOM PENH, Sept 14, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia’s Chamber of Commerce president Kith Meng has reassured Malaysian Ambassador Shaharuddin Onn of the country’s commitment to transparency, announcing a memorandum of understanding with the Anti‑Corruption Unit as part of efforts to bolster investor confidence, officials said Monday. Meng disclosed the agreement during a meeting with Malaysian Ambassador Shaharuddin Onn, according to a chamber statement. He described the memorandum as sending “an important message to the international business community” about Cambodia’s investment environment and private sector accountability. The statement did not specify when the memorandum was signed or provide detail on its scope or implementation. The announcement came during broader talks on bilateral trade and investment, in which Meng cited Cambodia‑Malaysia trade volume surpassing $1 billion in 2025 as evidence of growing economic ties. Shaharuddin Onn credited Malaysia, under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with helping facilitate an end to last year’s border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, citing Malaysia’s role as an active ASEAN member operating on the principle of “ASEAN centrality.” Meng separately thanked the Malaysian government for its role in reaching the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement signed on October 26, 2025. Both officials noted nearly seven decades of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Malaysia, dating to 1957. The anti‑corruption memorandum adds to a series of measures Cambodian business and government officials have cited in recent weeks to address investor concerns, alongside repeated pledges to crack down on cyber scam operations that have drawn international scrutiny to the country’s business environment. Cambodia’s Anti‑Corruption Unit is a government body responsible for investigating cases and promoting transparency, though the country has continued to face criticism from international watchdogs over corruption levels. Meng encouraged Malaysian businesses to pursue investment opportunities in Cambodia, citing the country’s economic potential and improving investment climate under Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet.