KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s improved position in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is not solely the result of policy implementation and reforms, but also driven by strategic, consistent and high-impact communication, says Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
The Chief Secretary to the Government said communication and dissemination of information on the government’s governance reform efforts must be intensified in a proactive, targeted and continuous manner to ensure that initiatives undertaken are clearly understood by all stakeholders, including investors, the international community and the public.
Malaysia climbed to 54th place out of 182 countries in the 2025 CPI with a score of 52 out of 100, compared to 57th out of 180 countries with a score of 50 in the previous year.
Shamsul Azri said the improvement reflects the government’s seriousness and ongoing commitment in strengthening governance, integrity and the national anti-corruption agenda.
“Strategic communication plays a very important role in shaping positive perceptions. The diversity of media platforms, particularly social media which has become a primary medium, plays a significant role in influencing public opinion,” he said after chairing the CPI Special Task Force Meeting Series 4 No. 1/2026 at the Prime Minister’s Department in Putrajaya on Friday (Feb 13).
Among the key contributors to the improved ranking were the active role of the CPI Special Task Force in coordinating efforts to enhance Malaysia’s international perception, the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2024–2028, amendments to the Audit Act 1957 to expand the Auditor-General’s powers over government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs), as well as broader institutional and legislative reforms.
The reforms include the drafting of a Freedom of Information Act, efforts towards establishing an Ombudsman Malaysia, amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act, and the Government’s commitment to separate the roles of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor.
The meeting also reviewed a presentation by Transparency International Malaysia president Raymon Ram on Malaysia’s 2025 CPI performance, survey findings and the implementation direction of each CPI Focus Group (FG) for 2026.
He also congratulated the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) for improvements recorded in several key CPI-related assessments.
MPC registered gains in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook and the World Economic Forum assessments, while MITI showed improvement in the International Country Risk Guide published by PRS Group.
However, two assessments recorded declines, namely the Political & Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) survey and the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, which evaluate perceptions related to corruption and abuse of power in public administration.
Shamsul Azri also commended several agencies for strengthening their communication management, describing the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) media as among those playing an effective role in issuing statements and providing strategic, swift and impactful responses.
“The improvement in Malaysia’s CPI score and ranking is not merely about numbers, but reflects the level of confidence the global community has in our governance system.
“I hope all members of the CPI Special Task Force, including the six CPI Focus Groups, will give their full commitment, enhance inter-agency coordination and ensure that the Government’s reform messages are clearly conveyed to stakeholders both domestically and internationally,” he said.
Among those present were Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, senior director of the National Governance Planning Division (BPGN) Datuk Idris Zaharudin, MACC Strategic Communications Division director Hisyam Mohd Yusoff, MITI secretary-general Datuk Hairil Yahri Yaacob, Cypark Resources Bhd chairman Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, who attended virtually, and Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah.
