TRANSPARENCY International Malaysia (TI-M) President Dr. Muhammad Mohan attributed Malaysia’s stagnant score and ranking in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) to the slow pace of reforms and several high-profile discharges not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) cases.
Malaysia maintained its 2023 score of 50 and ranking of 57 in the 2024 CPI.
While the nation saw improvement in 2023, with a score of 50 and a ranking of 57 compared to 47 and 61 respectively, in 2022, progress has stalled.
Dr Mohan acknowledged the government’s efforts in initiating institutional and legal reforms but highlighted delays in key areas.
He specifically pointed to the slow progress in amending the Whistleblower Protection Act, calling it “low-hanging fruit,” and the delayed enactment of the Freedom of Information Act.
He expressed hope that the promised tabling of the Whistleblower Protection Act amendments in the current Parliament session (ending March 6) and the Freedom of Information Bill in the July Parliament meeting would materialise without further postponements.
“If there is another delay, it’s another setback,” he warned.
Dr. Mohan also cited the impact of several high-profile DNAA cases on public perception and Malaysia’s CPI standing.
He said, “I am not challenging the law,, but this is the perception and how the public perceives it. They (DNAAs) could have been an influence, and I agree that if it had not happened, perhaps we could have done better.”
He mentioned the DNAA granted to former prime minister Najib Razak and former Treasury secretary-general Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah in a RM6.6 billion government funds trial, as well as the DNAA granted to Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in his Yayasan Akalbudi corruption case following the discontinuation of the trial in September 2023.
He noted the Malaysian Bar’s unsuccessful attempt to challenge the Attorney General’s decision in Ahmad Zahid’s case.
Dr Mohan made these remarks to reporters after the announcement of the 2024 Global CPI results on Tuesday.
-BTS Media
