Corruption Perception Index is a highly anticipated report that is awaited nationwide. Corruption Perception Index 2017 results releasing took place in Malaysia on 22nd February 2018 at Royal Selangor Club. Results show Malaysia at the rank of 62nd, sharing the spot with Cuba in 2017.
Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) held it’s annual launching of Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2017 on 22nd February 2018 at Royal Selangor Club. CPI 2017, the annual survey held measures the perceived level of corruption worldwide. Over 60 participants attended the launching of CPI 2017 and it was presented by the President of TI-M, Dato’ Akhbar Satar and Secretary-general of TI-M, Dr. Muhammad Mohan.
The surveyed countries use a maximum of 13 different data sources or a minimum of 3 data sources for understanding the perceived level of corruption in the public sector by experts and business people. CPI 2017 shows that over two thirds of the countries scored below 50 with an average score of 43. Malaysia with a score of 47, scored 62nd place among with Cuba in 2017 which is 7 ranks below than 2016 which was 55th with a score of 49. Malaysia used over 9 different sources to perceive the level of corruption in the public sector.
TI-M President, Dato’ Akhbar Satar, contributing to the poor perception of Malaysia, stated that this is the worst score in the last 5 years and the lowest ranking since CPI was introduced in 1994. He stated that the factors such as unresolved cases like 1MDB, SRC International Sdn Bhd issues, Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd scandal and the conviction of PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli for whistleblowing had a great affect on this year’s ranking. Other factors include the absence of political financing laws and corporate liability provisions in anti-graft laws.
According to Dato’ Akhbar, when other countries have tried to enact whistleblowing laws to protect them, it is a rather sad realisation that in Malaysia, whistleblowers get arrested and punished. Additionally, he also stated that if whistleblowers are not complying with whistleblowing policy and use the media, the whistleblower is unprotected.
This year, New Zealand and Denmark rank the highest with a respective score of 89 and 88. Among ASEAN countries, Malaysia is ranked 3rd with 1st being Singapore and 2nd being Brunei. In order to reach the top, Malaysia should learn from the neighbouring countries’ practices and laws. Dato’ Akhbar highlighted that Malaysia need to relook into the whistleblowing laws to ensure proper protection for those who expose.