KUALA LUMPUR: Despite Malaysia’s improved global corruption perception ranking in 2023, anti-corruption watchdogs have warned that there are still lingering issues that need to be addressed in order for the country to strengthen its commitment to good governance and transparency.
The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) has stated that Malaysia’s 57th place out of 180 countries, with a score of 50 out of 100 in Transparency International’s (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2023, signifies a positive change in the perception of corruption in the nation.
However, the C4 Center also pointed out that despite the progress made, the country still faces numerous challenges in combating corruption.
“While the scores are promising, it is worth noting that 2023 was not a smooth year for the Unity Government. In particular, it was heavily criticised for favoritism in the way it handled controversies involving high-profile politicians,” said the watchdog in a statement on Thursday (Feb 1).
The watchdog emphasized that favoritism and cronyism continue to enable corruption and remain unaddressed, with influential figures in government-linked companies (GLCs) still being appointed for political purposes.
As a result, the C4 Center stated that the government must institute real and substantive anti-corruption reforms, especially since Anwar himself had expressed his commitment to elevate Malaysia to the top 25 in the CPI ranking within the next ten years.
Among the recommendations put forth by the watchdog are the separation of powers between the Attorney-General and the Public Prosecutor’s offices to guarantee prosecutorial independence, the reform of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to grant it the status of sole anti-corruption body and the development of a Ministerial Code of Conduct and Ethics to regulate enablers of corruption.
Meanwhile, the CSO Platform for Reform proposed that good governance should involve empowering existing institutions to enhance transparency, such as advocating for a transparent appointment mechanism to vet appointments for GLCs and statutory bodies, as well as the establishment of the proposed Office of the Ombudsman.
“With investigative powers to recommend disciplinary action against public servants and department heads, the Ombudsman will provide checks and balances between the government and the people,” the coalition of more than 60 Malaysian-based civil society organizations said.
The CSO also urged for the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act to facilitate improvements in national governance in terms of transparency and accountability.
“Although it is still in the engagement stage as an initiative by the Legal Affairs Division, it shows the government’s openness to strengthen the existing Act for the welfare of the people,” the CSO said.
It added that ministers should also have to declare their assets through an independent property declaration unit, independent of the Prime Minister’s Department, MACC, and the Royal Malaysian Police. – Bernama
