Battling Corruption in Malaysia: Progress and Challenges

As of 2023, Malaysia has made notable strides in its fight against corruption, improving its ranking on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) from 61st to 57th out of 180 countries. This marks an increase in score from 47 to 50. It reflects a three-point improvement after a downward trend that persisted since 2019.

This progress is a testament to the government’s committed efforts, primarily driven by the federal government’s willingness to pursue legal action against high-profile individuals. The prosecution of two former prime ministers for corruption has positively influenced public perception.

Current State of Corruption in Malaysia

Despite these improvements, challenges remain. Several factors contributed to Malaysia’s low CPI score last year:

A lack of political will to combat institutional corruption. Substantial COVID-19 stimulus packages were rolled out without adequate parliamentary scrutiny. Unqualified individuals were appointed to lead government-linked companies. There was hesitance to address significant cost overruns, such as those related to the Littoral Combat Ship project.

Since the infamous 1MDB scandal, Malaysia has been actively strengthening its anti-corruption institutions. While the country is performing well on the Index of Public Integrity, there is a pressing need to enhance transparency in specific sectors, including business property transactions, the energy sector, and the establishment of a comprehensive land cadastre.

Expert Insights

“The federal government’s willingness to pursue legal action against high-profile individuals, such as the prosecution of two former prime ministers for corruption, has positively influenced public perception.”

— Muhammad Mohan, Chairman of Transparency International Malaysia

However, Muhammad Mohan, the chairman of Transparency International Malaysia, emphasizes that sustained political will is crucial to implementing the reforms promised during their time in opposition. He points to Uzbekistan, which has seen a 15-point increase in its CPI score since 2014 due to new legislation and consistent leadership commitment to anti-corruption initiatives.

Mohammad attributes the recent improvement in Malaysia’s CPI to the federal government’s commitment to enhancing transparency and accountability in the public sector. The independence of the judiciary, as evidenced in high-profile cases like the SRC International trial, has also contributed to this rebound.

Actionable Steps for the Government

To further improve Malaysia’s standing on the CPI, the following actionable steps are proposed for the government:

Independence of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC): The MACC should operate independently rather than being under the direct jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s Office. Fixed Tenure for MACC Chief: A fixed term for the MACC chief is recommended to insulate the commission from political changes. Enhancement of the Whistleblower Protection Act (2010): Strengthening this legislation could encourage more individuals to report corruption without fear of retaliation. Racial and Religious Politicking: Eradicating racial and religious politicking that is used to win votes from a majority segment of the electorate. Promote Multiculturalism: Malaysia belongs to all citizens, irrespective of race, language, or religion. Diversity, multiculturalism, and pluralism foster greater creativity and innovation, contributing to a more united, stronger, and progressive society and economy. Develop Advanced Education: The education system should prioritize skills development and lifelong learning. This focus has contributed to a highly skilled and world-class workforce that can compete and lead in the globalized world. Unfortunately, many Malaysian politicians promote a language that is only used in Malaysia to please the majority electorate, often at the expense of the quality and standards of their students, graduates, teachers, and educational standards.

The Malaysian government, under the Madani Government, has the potential to implement these measures effectively and efficiently. With sustained efforts and commitment, Malaysia can achieve a significant improvement in its standing on the CPI and contribute to a more transparent and accountable governance framework.

Conclusion

Malaysia’s progress in the fight against corruption is encouraging, but there is still much work to be done. With the right strategies and sustained commitment, the country can move closer to its goal of achieving a top 25 ranking on the CPI by 2033 as proposed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysia Boleh!