[UPDATED] Malaysia’s score slips in Transparency International’s corruption index

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia obtained a lower score in the Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2022, garnering 47 out of 100 points, dropping from 48 points the previous year.

The country’s CPI ranking has also improved by an inch, from 62 last year to 61, according to the graft watchdog’s CPI report published today.

For further context, Malaysia scored 51 points in 2020 and 53 points in 2019, showing a downward trend of deteriorating ranking for the last three years.

The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption on a scale of zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

In a press statement summarising the report, TI stated that Malaysia’s declining score is largely attributed to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) global financial scandal and perceived lack of commitment from the current government in fighting corruption.

“Malaysia has been declining for years as it struggles with grand corruption in the wake of the monumental 1MDB and other scandals implicating multiple prime ministers and high-level officials.

“The current prime minister has promised to clean up but still appointed a deputy prime minister with serious corruption allegations as part of efforts to stabilise his unity government,” said the statement.

This was in reference to Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who faces a multitude of criminal charges for corruption and criminal breach of trust, being appointed as deputy prime minister.

Other factors that influenced Malaysia’s lower score also include the lack of transparency on the rollout of the Covid-19 stimulus packages, patronage in appointing unqualified politicians to head government linked entities, and reluctance to firmly address cost overruns, among others.

For further context, Denmark scored the highest CPI score in the world with 90 points. In the Asia Pacific region, Singapore remains the highest with a score of 83 points.

Malaysia’s close neighbours, Indonesia and Thailand, scored 34 and 36 points respectively. – The Vibes, January 31, 2023