CLARS-MH Expands Impact with MACA Collaboration

29  April 2025

In a step towards strengthening governance education and advancing regional leadership, Monash University Malaysia’s School of Business has initiated a strategic collaboration with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy (MACA).

Led by Professor Nafis Alam (Head of School), the Monash Malaysia delegation engaged with MACA to explore collaborative opportunities in governance education, research, and regulatory innovation. Professor Nafis introduced Monash’s strategic initiatives aligned with Impact 2030, while Associate Professor Adnan Trakic (Director, Centre for Commercial Law and Regulatory Studies – Malaysia Hub, CLARS-MH) outlined potential collaboration frameworks and highlighted the School’s research capabilities in governance innovation.

Building on the Centre’s recent launch and its inaugural roundtable addressing the review of the Contracts Act 1950, CLARS-MH continues to position itself as a catalyst for regulatory reform. This engagement with MACA reflects the Centre’s commitment to working closely with public institutions to drive meaningful governance and legal reforms aligned with Malaysia’s evolving regulatory landscape.

Complementing the discussions on engagement and impact initiatives was Professor Mohan Avvari, who emphasised the importance of industry-academia partnerships in ensuring the practical implementation of governance innovations.

The delegation from the Business Law and Taxation (BLT) department included Dr Ridoan Karim, Dr Chithra Latha Ramalingam (a Certified Integrity Officer by MACA), Dr Abdullah Fazi Mohammad, Dr Rushmila Rafique, and Mr Athirathan Velloo Muthalia. Also supporting the initiative was Mr Ignatius Krishnan, Senior Business Development Manager of Monash Training and Engagement.

During the session, Dato’ Mohd Hafaz bin Nazar, Senior Director of MACA, shared insights into MACA’s five specialised schools and their extensive initiatives across ASEAN and the Pacific region, including Bhutan, Nepal, Laos, and Fiji — highlighting opportunities for regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.

This strategic engagement aligns with Monash’s Impact 2030 vision, focusing on:

  • Developing frameworks to enhance governance education and institutional integrity
  • Creating pathways to engage with real-world regulatory challenges
  • Strengthening Malaysia’s role in international governance and transparency discourse

“Ethics and accountability are not just legal obligations; they are the bedrock of sustainable business and society,” noted Professor Nafis Alam.

Reflecting on the Centre’s vision, Dr Chithra Latha Ramalingam, who led the BLT department’s presentation, highlighted that CLARS-MH’s 2030 Legal Impact Lab seeks to advance ethics and governance initiatives that elevate Malaysia’s standing in global transparency indices.

This collaboration exemplifies Monash University Malaysia’s commitment to creating purpose-driven research and education opportunities that address key global challenges, while strengthening its role as a leading voice in governance excellence.