Improved graft perception scores welcome, but more must be done - observers

Malaysia’s improved performance on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) signals that Pakatan Harapan’s anti-graft efforts are resonating with the rakyat, say observers.

Whilst welcoming the result, they have urged the government to continue rooting out the long-standing, deep-seated problem.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, political scientist James Chin (photo, above) noted that the scores reflected public support for crackdowns on cases involving those from the previous political regime.

Moving forward, the University of Tasmania academic hoped that robust systems would be implemented in government agencies to safeguard them from corruption.

“I think the Harapan government can take credit for the better scores.

“If they can put in a proper system, then I will be impressed. The two ‘big cows’ they must tackle are the Police and the Customs Department.

“If they can bring corruption down in these two government departments, I will be very impressed,” Chin said.

Noting that anti-corruption efforts were bearing fruit, Universiti Utara Malaysia’s Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said Harapan ought to crack down on political patronage next.

“I think efforts by Harapan to eradicate corruption are working gradually. To empower the MACC, open tenders in government projects and the 1MDB trial are some efforts by the government.

“But there is still a lot to do. The Harapan government has struggled to eradicate the patronage system because people are used to the system,” the political science professor said when contacted.

Global integrity NGO Transparency International announced today that Malaysia jumped 10 spots to rank 51 on the CPI in 2019, the highest in eight years. It also improved from 47 points to 53 points.

Among the reasons for the improvement were the swift action in high-profile corruption cases; increased media freedom; an opposition-led Public Accounts Committee; compulsory asset declaration by lawmakers; and the National Anti-Corruption Plan.

MACC vows to continue efforts

Meanwhile, MACC chief Latheefa Koya welcomed the “encouraging” CPI scores and vowed to continue working to improve transparency.

“We will continue to strive for greater transparency (with) more participation from all stakeholders and a stronger mechanism towards managing whistleblower-protection.

“We are also pushing for all the various levels of government administrative bodies to step up its integrity and governance unit,” she said in a statement.

In a separate statement, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang lauded the improved rankings and hoped it would spur the government to continue combating corruption.

“We should not be complacent. We are still behind 50 other countries.

“The anti-corruption efforts, though remarkable since the change of federal government on May 9, 2018, should be regarded as a start. Malaysia should not be satisfied until we are among the top 30 countries in public integrity,” the backbencher said.  - Mkini