SHAH ALAM – The Malaysian Corruption Watch (MCW) has raised concerns over Malaysia’s stagnant ranking in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which remains at 57th place, showing no improvement from the previous year.
MCW president Jais Abdul Karim said this indicates that current anti-corruption efforts have yet to influence global perceptions of the country’s governance.
"This index does not solely assess the effectiveness of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) or corruption prosecutions but evaluates governance as a whole," he said in a statement on Tuesday.
He stressed the importance of a more transparent and efficient legal system to uphold justice and integrity in administration.
He also called for reducing bureaucratic hurdles to improve public service efficiency and streamline administrative processes.
"Economic competitiveness and productivity must also be strengthened by fostering a corruption-free and transparent environment," he said.
He stated that political stability and strong public policies play a crucial role in boosting public and investor confidence in the government’s administration.
At the same time, the government must ensure full protection for whistleblowers to encourage more individuals to report misconduct in both the public and private sectors.
MCW also stated that discussions on the CPI should extend beyond corruption-related issues and address governance as a whole.
"If Malaysia is serious about improving its CPI ranking, comprehensive reforms must be implemented across all sectors," it said.
MCW urged all stakeholders to take concrete action to ensure that anti-corruption reforms are not just rhetoric but lead to tangible improvements in public and investor confidence in national governance.