Corruption: Malaysia ranks 55th

Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It hurts everyone whose life, livelihood or happiness depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority. Corruption holds back economic development, prevents a free market operating for businesses and consumers, and further exploits the already marginalised groups. 

Malaysia's global ranking in anti-graft watchdog survey on perceived corruption in the public sector; Transparency International's (TI) annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) has declined again for the second year, falling to 55th out of 176 countries surveyed last year. 

Malaysia had been improving in the annual rankings, moving from the 54th spot out of 176 countries in 2012 to the 53rd spot out of 177 countries in 2013, and the 50th spot out of 175 countries in 2014. Malaysia ranked 54th out of 168 countries in the 2015 edition. Malaysia's poorer rankings last year also come as its 2016 CPI score fell to 49, the same score that the country had achieved in 2012. Putrajaya aims to achieve a ranking of 30th place by 2020. 

Corruption in Malaysia is a growing threat as is often met with complacency, and that key institutions are refusing to or slow to address the problem. Any level of corruption in public institutions are too much. Furthermore, there is a big problem with public mistrust of government and politics in Malaysia. 

"It's not impossible, provided we have good leaders, support from the public and make sure MACC is not conducting selective investigation, but this is very important, we must make sure AG do not does selective prosecution, then I can assure we can achieve, if not it's a dream," TI-Malaysia president Datuk Akhbar Satar said when asked if such a goal was still achievable.