KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 — Malaysia has been ranked third among ASEAN countries in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), trailing only Singapore and Brunei, according to the latest report released today by Transparency International (TI) Malaysia.
Malaysia recorded a score of 52 out of 100, marking a two-point improvement compared with its 2023 and 2024 scores. Globally, the country is placed 54th out of 182 nations, reflecting gradual progress in governance and anti-corruption reforms.
Singapore continued to lead the ASEAN region with a CPI score of 84, ranking third worldwide, while Brunei secured second place in the region with a score of 63, placing it 31st globally.
Presenting the findings, TI Malaysia president Raymon Ram said Malaysia’s improved standing was driven by a series of institutional and legislative reforms implemented over the past two years.
Among the key initiatives cited were the Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act 2023 and amendments to the Audit Act 1957, which strengthened the Auditor-General’s oversight of government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs).
“Additional efforts include new legislation such as the Government Procurement Bill and amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act in 2025,” Ram said.
He added that the Madani government, under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has introduced several governance measures, including the launch of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024–2028 and the establishment of a CPI Task Force chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Government.
Despite the positive momentum, Ram cautioned that significant challenges remain, particularly in areas critical to long-term integrity and public trust.
“Procurement transparency, effective whistleblower protection, and comprehensive political financing regulations require continuous improvement,” he said.
TI Malaysia also raised concerns over whether the Government Procurement Bill is sufficiently robust to eliminate corruption risks in high-value projects, while noting that current whistleblower protection amendments may fall short in ensuring full disclosure and adequate safeguards.
Other areas of concern include the absence of a strong political financing framework and the potential for Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) to weaken enforcement credibility if not carefully regulated.
Ram stressed that Malaysia must accelerate institutional and legislative reforms, strengthen transparency mechanisms, and demonstrate consistent political will to sustain progress.
“Public expectations are high, and the cost of inaction will be reflected not only in future CPI scores, but also in public trust,” he said, adding that Malaysia’s goal of reaching a top-25 CPI ranking by 2033 will require decisive and systematic action.
