Latest news with #2024CorruptionPerceptionsIndex
BusinessToday
3 days ago
- Politics
- BusinessToday
Youth Council Supports Rights To Protest Against Corruption
Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) President Mohd Izzat Afifi Hj Abdul Hamid has urged authorities to take firmer and more transparent action against corruption, while affirming support for the students who organised the recent Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 protest. He welcomed the Prime Minister's directive not to take disciplinary action against Universiti Malaysia Sabah students who staged the demonstration. He said this decision reflects the value of ihsan as outlined in the Malaysia Madani vision. However, he questioned the Royal Malaysia Police's decision to investigate the students under the Sedition Act 1948, saying it contradicts the Prime Minister's guidance. While condemning the act of burning a photograph of the Prime Minister during the protest, he stressed that such actions should not overshadow the protest's underlying message. The students had voiced their rejection of corruption, power abuse and poor governance. He acknowledged the courage of the students and said their concerns reflect the younger generation's deep care for integrity in government. He urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to act more decisively and fairly, especially in high-profile cases. According to him, the fight against corruption must be consistent and impartial to restore public trust. Citing Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, which gave Malaysia a score of 50 and placed the country 57th out of 180 nations, he said this was a clear sign that stronger national action was needed. He called for a 'whole-of-nation' approach and said MBM was ready to act as a bridge between students and agencies like MACC. He also offered MBM's support in organising engagement sessions and policy discussions that involve student voices. He concluded that the fight against corruption must be guided by wisdom, responsibility and courage for the sake of a clean and just Malaysia. 'For truth and justice,' he said. Related
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Myanmar re-enters list of world's most corrupt nations, raising alarm: Comment
YANGON: Following the political changes, Myanmar has re-entered the list of the world's most corrupt countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) within four years, raising concerns among political analysts. According to annual reports by Transparency International, which investigates corruption worldwide, Myanmar has once again been listed as one of the most corrupt countries in the four years since the 2021 political changes. Transparency International's report shows that in 2021, the year of Myanmar's political shift, the country ranked 140th out of 180 nations. By 2022, Myanmar fell further to 157th out of 180 countries. In 2023, it dropped even lower to 162nd place out of 180. In the latest 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index released by Transparency International, Myanmar has now reached 168th place. The report indicates that over the four years since the political changes, Myanmar's corruption index has worsened year after year. From 140th in 2021, the country fell 17 places to 157th in 2022—a sharp decline in just one year. Additionally, in 2023, it dropped another five places to 162nd compared to the previous year. In the latest 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International, Myanmar has fallen to 168th place, marking a six-place drop compared to its 2023 ranking. When comparing its 2021 ranking (140th) to its 2024 position (168th), the country has declined by 28 places over just four years, reflecting a sharp deterioration in governance and transparency. Germany-based Transparency International determines country rankings by evaluating multiple factors including: corruption levels in government offices, assessments by experts and business communities, and data from World Bank and World Economic Forum reports. The CPI scoring system ranges from 0 to 100, where 100 represents "very clean" (least corrupt) and 0 indicates "highly corrupt." Transparency International is an organisation dedicated to monitoring systems and networks that enable global corruption while working to drive meaningful reforms. According to Transparency International's reports, Myanmar was ranked as most corrupt in 2011, the year when President Thein Sein's government took office following the 2010 elections. In the 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index covering 183 countries, Myanmar was ranked 180th - among the worst performers globally. Subsequently, Myanmar became the 165th country to ratify the UN Convention Against Corruption on December 20, 2012. The government passed an anti-corruption law in 2013, and President Thein Sein established the Anti-Corruption Commission in 2014. After joining the anti-corruption convention, Myanmar's CPI ranking gradually improved. In the 2012 Corruption Perceptions Index covering 176 countries, Myanmar was ranked 172nd. In the 2013 index of 177 countries, Myanmar improved to 157th position. The 2014 assessment of 175 nations placed Myanmar at 156th, while the 2015 evaluation of 167 countries saw Myanmar rise further to 147th place. Although President Thein Sein's administration began with Myanmar's worst corruption ranking in 2011, his government successfully improved the country's standing in the Corruption Perceptions Index over the subsequent four years. Similarly, during the NLD government's tenure, observable improvements were made in Myanmar's corruption rankings as reported by Transparency International. When the NLD administration took office in 2016, Myanmar was ranked 136th out of 176 countries. The 2017 index of 180 countries placed Myanmar at 130th, followed by 132nd in 2018 (out of 180), 130th in 2019 (out of 180), and 137th in 2020 (out of 179 nations). The data clearly demonstrates that both the Thein Sein administration and the subsequent NLD government achieved measurable progress in improving Myanmar's position in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index during their respective terms of office. However, as mentioned earlier, following the political changes in Myanmar in 2021, Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index shows the country's rankings have progressively worsened year after year. Although the Anti-Corruption Commission has been implementing measures to combat corruption – including prevention and awareness programmes, risk assessments, legal investigations, confiscation of illicit assets and protection of state funds through collaboration with union ministries, regional governments and civil society organisations (CSOs) – the country's corruption rankings have continued declining for four consecutive years since the political transition. In the latest 2024 index released by Transparency International covering 180 countries, Myanmar ranked 168th and was identified as the most corrupt nation in Asean. In the 2024 rankings, the only countries performing worse than Myanmar were North Korea, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Somalia and South Sudan. During this period of political change, as Myanmar's ranking on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index has risen year after year over the past four years, state-run newspapers this month featured an article titled "The Anti-Corruption Commission's Activities in 2024." The Anti-Corruption Commission announced that over 5,000 complaints have been filed with them in the four years since the political transition. According to the commission's report, in 2021—the year of the political change—1,334 complaints were filed. In 2022, there were 1,426 complaints; in 2023, 1,217 complaints; and in 2024, 1,225 complaints. This brings the total number of complaints over the four years to 5,202. In 2024, a total of 1,225 complaints were submitted: 1,166 to the commission's headquarters in Nay Pyi Taw, 26 to the Yangon branch office, 16 to the Mandalay branch office, 11 to the Taunggyi branch office, and six to the Mawlamyine branch office. The Anti-Corruption Commission stated that out of the 1,225 complaints received in 2024, action was taken on 813. Among the 813 complaints addressed, the commission directly investigated ten complaints, 534 complaints were transferred to relevant Union ministries and state/regional governments for further action, and 269 complaints were responded to with recommendations and advice to the individual complainants on necessary steps related to their reports. Of the remaining 422 complaints, 44 are still under review, while 368 could not be acted upon as they did not comply with the Anti-Corruption Law, according to the Anti-Corruption Commission. It has been reported that there were ten complaints forwarded by the State Administration Council (SAC), Union Ministers, and State/Regional Governments, along with 1,052 complaints directly submitted to the commission, 150 duplicate complaints, and 13 anonymous letters. In 2024, the commission investigated ten complaints referred by the SAC, Union Ministers, and State/Regional Governments, leading to legal action against 42 individuals. These cases included 27 major criminal offences and six general offences, prosecuted under the Anti-Corruption Law in the respective regional high courts. Additionally, 21 civil servants were referred to their respective departments for disciplinary action under Section 30(b) of the Anti-Corruption Law, the commission announced. Furthermore, in 2024, based on complaints transferred to Union Ministries and State/Regional Governments under Section 16(d) of the Anti-Corruption Law, 287 civil servants were subjected to disciplinary actions by their respective departments, the commission stated. Additionally, the Anti-Corruption Commission reported that among the complaints it received, action was taken against 67 individuals holding political positions, 23 high-ranking officials, 101 senior civil servants, 86 junior staff members, 18 public servants and 53 other individuals, in accordance with the Anti-Corruption Law. Furthermore, 3,030 civil servants were disciplined under the Civil Service Law. In terms of recovery and protection of public funds, the commission seized and returned over 27.33 billion kyats (US$13.014 million), while more than 156 billion kyats were safeguarded from potential misuse. When comparing the number of complaints filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission over the past four years of political transition to the pre-transition period, a decline in reported cases has been observed. According to the commission's data, over 28,000 complaints were submitted during the five-year term of the NLD-led government, significantly higher than the current figures. When examined by year, the number of complaints received was 710 complaints in 2016, 2,014 complaints in 2017, 10,543 complaints in 2018, 9,394 complaints in 2019 and 5,963 complaints in 2020. Comparing the NLD administration period with the four years following the political transition, there has been a significant decrease in the number of complaints submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission. During the five-year NLD administration, over 28,000 complaints were filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission, averaging about 6,000 complaints per year. In contrast, during the four years following the political transition, only slightly over 5,000 complaints were submitted, averaging just over 1,000 complaints annually. While the exact reasons for this substantial decline in complaints to the Anti-Corruption Commission remain unclear, there has been widespread criticism and questioning regarding Myanmar's improving rankings year after year on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. "If the Anti-Corruption Commission could be more transparent in disclosing their they could provide more visible and clearer public reports, these issues would likely be somewhat resolved. commented a political analyst. The recent rise in Myanmar's ranking on the global Corruption Perceptions Index can be primarily attributed to several key factors, according to analysts: the weakening rule of law, ongoing internal armed conflicts and rising inflation rates within the country. Political observers also note that this deterioration reflects the Anti-Corruption Commission's lack of transparency and ineffective enforcement measures. Furthermore, analysts emphasise that combating corruption requires more than just politically motivated actions—it demands comprehensive, grassroots-level efforts to truly make an impact. "If we're discussing how to effectively reduce corruption, we should note that relevant government departments already have established anti-corruption committees. These ministerial-level committees need to become significantly more proactive in their work," said a political observer. "On another front, we must conduct deeper research into the root causes of corruption. There are multiple approaches - not just punitive measures, but also preventive solutions. If we can create systemic conditions that naturally reduce opportunities for corruption, we'll see better results. Failing that, we need law enforcement bodies to take more decisive and effective action," the observer added. "Another crucial element is the role of CSOs. Could local organisations establish corruption monitoring mechanisms? Should there be more direct engagement between the public and the Anti-Corruption Commission beyond conventional channels? There are numerous potential approaches." Currently, bribery and corruption are widespread. Corruption has worsened significantly, and if the Anti-Corruption Commission intends to reverse these alarming trends, it must act swiftly and decisively to restore positive outcomes. Particularly, the commission's efforts must be effective, far-reaching, and inclusive to have a meaningful impact. In combating corruption, there should be no favouritism—no distinction between allies and opponents. Unlike previous eras, the fight cannot be politically motivated. Political analysts emphasise that the Anti-Corruption Commission must take strict and precise measures to address the rampant corruption occurring today. '"The situation has reached a critical point. A rapid response is crucial. To restore the country's previous standing, immediate action is necessary," remarked a political observer." - Eleven Media/ANN
The Star
03-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Prabowo slams corrupt Indonesian officials, warns foreign NGOs
JAKARTA: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (pic) used a national holiday address to deliver a sharp warning to the country's political elite, urging underperforming public officials to step down or face removal. The president, speaking Monday (June 2) at a state ceremony to commemorate Indonesia's founding state ideology, Pancasila, blamed many of the country's struggles on self-serving leaders and others that fail to act in the nation's interest. "One of our biggest weaknesses is the mentality of the national elite,' Prabowo said in a fiery, half-hour speech in front of several hundred military personnel, police and cabinet members in Jakarta. "There are still too many abuses, too much corruption, too much manipulation - and it's happening inside the government.' Any official unable to fulfill their duties, he added, should "step down before I remove them.' He did not name specific targets or agencies in his remarks. The speech marks one of Prabowo's strongest public criticisms of Indonesia's bureaucracy since taking office in October. The president, a member of Indonesia's upper classes who married into the family of former dictator Suharto, has relied heavily on a familiar rhetorical theme: that a corrupt and ineffective elite is weakening national unity and squandering the country's vast resources. Less than a year into his term, Prabowo has positioned himself as a populist leader seeking to lift living standards across an archipelago of more than 280 million people. His administration is rolling out free meals for many students across the country, and last week unveiled plans to lower transport and power costs as part of efforts to boost consumer spending. His big-spending programme and sharp policy shifts raised concerns among investors earlier this year, though sentiment has since stabilised. Prabowo has also portrayed himself as tough on graft, a long-standing problem in South-East Asia's largest economy. Indonesia ranked 99 out of 180 countries in Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, and public confidence in oversight institutions is relatively low. The president also warned of foreign interference, another familiar refrain, accusing unnamed international actors of funding civil society groups to divide Indonesia under the guise of promoting democracy and human rights. "They've been doing this for decades,' he said. "With their money, they fund NGOs that pit us against one another. We must not be manipulated by any nation.' Prabowo delivered his speech at the Pancasila Building in central Jakarta - the same site where the country's founding president, Sukarno, first laid out what he envisioned as a unifying ideology for Indonesia's diverse population in June 1945. Just over two months later, Indonesia declared independence from Dutch colonial rule. Among those in attendance Monday was Sukarno's daughter, former president Megawati Sukarnoputri, leader of the main opposition party. It was the first time the two appeared together in public since Prabowo's election victory, though they had a closed-door meeting in April this year. - Bloomberg
Straits Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Prabowo slams corrupt Indonesian officials, warns foreign NGOs
Mr Prabowo has also portrayed himself as tough on graft, a long-standing problem in South-east Asia's largest economy. PHOTO: AFP JAKARTA – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto used a national holiday address to deliver a sharp warning to the country's political elite, urging underperforming public officials to step down or face removal. The president, speaking on June 2 Monday at a state ceremony to commemorate Indonesia's founding state ideology, Pancasila, blamed many of the country's struggles on self-serving leaders and others that fail to act in the nation's interest. 'One of our biggest weaknesses is the mentality of the national elite,' Mr Prabowo said in a fiery, half-hour speech in front of several hundred military personnel, police and Cabinet members in Jakarta. 'There are still too many abuses, too much corruption, too much manipulation – and it's happening inside the government.' Any official unable to fulfil their duties, he added, should 'step down before I remove them.' He did not name specific targets or agencies in his remarks. The speech marks one of Mr Prabowo's strongest public criticisms of Indonesia's bureaucracy since taking office in October. The president, a member of Indonesia's upper classes who married into the family of former dictator Suharto, has relied heavily on a familiar rhetorical theme: that a corrupt and ineffective elite is weakening national unity and squandering the country's vast resources. Less than a year into his term, Mr Prabowo has positioned himself as a populist leader seeking to lift living standards across an archipelago of more than 280 million people. His administration is rolling out free meals for many students across the country, and last week unveiled plans to lower transport and power costs as part of efforts to boost consumer spending. His big-spending programme and sharp policy shifts raised concerns among investors earlier in 2025, though sentiment has since stabilised. Mr Prabowo has also portrayed himself as tough on graft, a long-standing problem in South-east Asia's largest economy. Indonesia ranked 99 out of 180 countries in Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, and public confidence in oversight institutions is relatively low. The president also warned of foreign interference, another familiar refrain, accusing unnamed international actors of funding civil society groups to divide Indonesia under the guise of promoting democracy and human rights. 'They've been doing this for decades,' he said. 'With their money, they fund NGOs that pit us against one another. We must not be manipulated by any nation.' Mr Prabowo delivered his speech at the Pancasila Building in central Jakarta – the same site where the country's founding president, Sukarno, first laid out what he envisioned as a unifying ideology for Indonesia's diverse population in June 1945. Just over two months later, Indonesia declared independence from Dutch colonial rule. Among those in attendance on June 2 was Sukarno's daughter, former president Megawati Soekarnoputri, leader of the main opposition party. It was the first time the two appeared together in public since Mr Prabowo's election victory, though they had a closed-door meeting in April 2025. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Borneo Post
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Public servants must uphold integrity, reject corruption – Chief Secretary
Shamsul (center) posing with the civil servants during the event.-Information Department photo TAWAU (May 11): Public servants in the country must uphold the Federal Constitution and always adhere to the principle of the rule of law as the foundation of the nation's governance system. The Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azril Abdul Bakar, said public servants are responsible for setting an example in demonstrating compliance with the legal system and governance with integrity. 'Loyalty is not merely about reciting an oath but is a lifelong commitment. Public servants must uphold the values of integrity, ethics, and excellence in their service. 'This loyalty must be proven by an uncompromising rejection of any form of corruption. Integrity and ethics are the foundation of a service culture that must be embraced throughout one's tenure,' he said. He stated this when officiating the closing ceremony of the MADANI Rakyat Programme: Together with the Chief Secretary to the Government at the Tawau Community Hall on Sunday. Shamsul also emphasized that public servants are not merely performing duties but are responsible for contributing to the well-being of the people and the prosperity of the nation. 'As public servants and stewards on this earth, we must carry out our duties with sincere intentions and ensure that every action is taken justly and prudently,' he said. In his speech, he also touched on Malaysia's role as the ASEAN Chair this year, which carries the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability.' 'I am confident that this responsibility will showcase the capabilities and high commitment of the country's public servants in undertaking the strategic role as ambassadors of professionalism and excellence for Malaysia on the regional stage,' he said. Commenting on Malaysia's position in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International, he said Malaysia is now ranked second among ASEAN countries after Singapore, with a score of 50 points. 'I urge all public servants to continue upholding high integrity values and reject any form of power abuse. We must work together to realize the nation's aspiration to be among the top 25 countries in the index by 2033,' he asserted. Shamsul also called for the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability to be the main pillars in every execution of trust for the nation's prosperity and the people's well-being. Also present were the Sabah Federal Secretary, Datuk Seri Rosli Isa; the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Communications, Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa; the Director-General of the Community Communications Department, Datuk Ismail Yusop; and the President of the Tawau Municipal Council, Pang Pick Lim @ Joseph.
