Zuki: More can be done to improve M'sia's ranking on perception index

KUALA LUMPUR: More work can be done to improve Malaysia's ranking on the global perception index, says Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.

The Chief Secretary to the Government said the country's position on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) could be further improved, including by expediting the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, which replaced the National Anti-Corruption Plan 2019-2023.

"Our ranking on the CPI 2023 shows that the country is improving in terms of its legal system and judicial legislation.

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"This is due to the success of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Attorney General's Chambers with regard to investigations into high-profile cases, supported by the commitment and professionalism of the civil service.

"Having said that, we should not be satisfied since there are still matters that we need to work on to boost the country's ranking on the CPI," Zuki said in his speech at the 10th Certified Integrity Officers (CeIO) Convocation here on Thursday (Feb 22).

Also present at the convocation ceremony were, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, deputy chief commissioner (management and professionalism) Datuk Junipah Wandi and Malaysia Anti-Corruption Academy director Datuk Idris Zaharudin.

A total of 481 participants from ministries, departments and statutory bodies as well as government-linked companies and the private sector received their scrolls at the ceremony.

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"As mentioned by the Prime Minister on several occasions, he is happy about the contributions of our enforcement bodies and agencies, especially the MACC, police and Attorney-General's Chambers

"Nevertheless, he wants us to keep striving for improvement despite our recent ranking on the CPI.

"This includes expediting the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy," said Mohd Zuki.

It was announced last month that Malaysia had improved its global CPI ranking in 2023 by scoring 50 points, up from 47 points the previous year.

The increase helped Malaysia climb to 57th position from the 61st in 2022.