MALAYSIA THIRD IN ASEAN IN GRAFT INDEX
Govt working to boost CPI position, says deputy minister
MALAYSIA is in a good position despite being ranked 55th in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) last year, the Dewan Rakyat heard yesterday.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Razali Ibrahim said despite the position, Malaysia occupied the upper one-third of the 176 countries involved in the study, with a score of 49.
“Malaysia is placed third out of 10 Asean countries involved in the study.”
He said this in reply to a question from Lim Guan Eng (DAPBagan) about the measures taken to raise the country’s CPI position to 30th by 2020.
Razali (BN-Muar) said the 2016 CPI was calculated based on eight surveys carried out by international agencies on 176 countries, compared with 168 countries in 2015.
He said out of eight surveys, Malaysia achieved an excellent score for the Global Insight Country Risk Rating, with a 17-point increase from 42 in 2015 to 59 last year.
“This is due to an efficient and competitive delivery system in the country.”
He said the score had an impact on Malaysia’s position in the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) by the World Economic Forum.
He said the Federal Government was working to improve the administrative structure of the country and its CPI position.
However, he said, these were long-term efforts and the results could be seen only in the long run.
He said the setting up of Integrity Units in the public sector, including government-linked companies (GLCs) and statutory bodies, showed that the government was serious in changing practices, upholding integrity and good administration, as well as eliminating graft.
“These units are helmed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for high-risk organisations, including GLCs.
“Medium- and lowrisk organisations will be helmed by certified integrity officers, who have received training from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy.”
He said the unit’s role was to strengthen the internal control system, specifically in the handling of administrative systems and integrity issues in organisations, and taking follow-up action and reporting to MACC.