KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia continues to drop points in Transparency International's (TI) 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).
In TI's latest report, Malaysia's 2022 CPI score fell to 47 points, a 6-point drop over the past three years.
"This drop is statistically significant, indicating that we are heading in the wrong direction with regards to fighting corruption, supporting human rights and democracy in the public sector," TI-Malaysia said in the statement.
It said the government of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim came into office in November 2022 with clear priorities being expressed.
"He highlighted Malaysia's precarious fiscal position which requires immediate attention. The Prime Minister also stated his commitment to practicing good governance, transparency, integrity, and accountability in his government. TI-Malaysia believes that both goals are inter-related."
It added that reducing corruption, leakages, wastage and non-viable projects will help improve Malaysia's fiscal position.
"It will also make Malaysia a more attractive destination for foreign investment. Finally, a public sector that practices good governance will also translate into better CPI scores for Malaysia moving forward," TI-Malaysia said.
It said decisive and affirmative action to accelerate institutional reforms will go a long way towards improving Malaysia's governance environment.
"These include practicing transparency with information disclosure, improve accountability in public administration, introducing new legislation to strengthen governance, reform the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commissioner into an independent institution, encouraging investigative journalism and reintroducing local council elections," said TI-Malaysia.
TI-Malaysia calls on the government to take firm, clear steps necessary to address our declining CPI score without compromise.
"Any delay will have a long lasting negative impact on our competitiveness as a nation and our goal to be a nation which values ethics and integrity."
