THE nation’s rise in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) hinges on continued strategic reforms and proactive communication, Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, said, stressing that the credibility of governance reforms must be actively conveyed to both domestic and international audiences.
“The improvement reflects the government’s seriousness and ongoing commitment to strengthening governance, integrity, and the national anti-corruption agenda,” he said during the Special Task Force Meeting on the CPI Series 4 No. 1/2026 yesterday.
Shamsul Azri emphasised that strategic communication plays a critical role in shaping positive perceptions, particularly through diverse media platforms, including social media, which has become a dominant channel influencing public opinion.
He noted that Malaysia’s improved CPI ranking also owes much to the dedicated work of the Special CPI Task Force, which coordinates efforts to enhance international perceptions of the country.
Key measures include implementing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2024–2028 and amendments to the Audit Act 1957.
“The Audit Act amendments, for example, expand the audit powers of the Auditor-General over government-linked companies and investment-linked companies, alongside broader institutional and legal reforms.
“These reforms encompass the drafting of a Freedom of Information Act, steps towards establishing an Ombudsman Malaysia, amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act, and the commitment to separate the roles of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor,” he said.
The meeting also featured a presentation by Raymon Ram, President of Transparency International Malaysia, detailing Malaysia’s 2025 CPI performance, survey analysis, and the implementation roadmap for each of the six CPI Focus Groups in 2026.
Shamsul Azri further congratulated the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) for improvements in key CPI-related studies.
MPC saw gains in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook and the World Economic Forum assessments, while MITI’s performance improved under the International Country Risk Guide by PRS Group.
However, he acknowledged that two studies, the Political & Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) and the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, indicated a decline, highlighting continuing challenges in perceptions of corruption and abuse of power in public administration.
“The rise in Malaysia’s CPI score and ranking is more than just numbers; it reflects the global community’s confidence in our governance system. I urge all members of the CPI Special Task Force, including the six Focus Groups, to commit fully, streamline inter-agency coordination, and ensure that the government’s reform messages reach all stakeholders clearly,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Tan Sri Azam Baki, Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM); Datuk Idris Zaharudin, Senior Director of the Governance Planning Division (BPGN) SPRM; Hisyam Mohd Yusoff, Director of Strategic Communications SPRM; Datuk Hairil Yahri Yaacob, Chief Secretary of MITI; and Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Communications. - February 14, 2026
