KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Malaysia's prime minister says the government's anti-corruption agency will become an independent body.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also announced other reforms Monday to boost the fight against corruption. They include tripling the number of anti-corruption officers over the next five years.

He says new laws will be created to protect whistle blowers.

The moves came days after Abdullah announced setting up an independent panel to help appoint judges in senior positions. At present they are appointed by the prime minister. Critics say Malaysia's judiciary and the government's Anti-Corruption Agency are heavily politicized.