DEC 6 — Malaysia has moved up a notch to 53rd out of 177 countries this year in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).

It is minor progress but it is not a significant improvement in anti-corruption efforts. To be precise, Malaysia is just on the pass mark, scoring 50 out of 100.

Fifty points means we have done half right; the other half has been done wrong, or is yet to be done.

Such a result certainly does not meet the expectations of the people on reform of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). The government has made all kinds of commitments in recent years to fight corruption, and much funds have been just aside. The MACC has been restructured and given greater power. The Anti-Corruption NKRA of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) has also strengthened its supervision on the public-service sector.

Based on return on investment, one notch up the Transparency International rank is disappointing.

Perhaps the authorities might seek solace in the battle against corruption being a long-term campaign and the results would not be shown in the short term. There might be a time gap in the Transparency International’s findings and the actual progress.

But this not comprehensively explain the weaknesses in the country’s move against corruption.

For instance, when the government was vigorously promoting the anti-corruption campaign, the drive lacked action. Those who were charged for corruption were mostly low-level officials, and the number involved was low. Many cases brought to the court were not convicted owing to technical problems and insufficient evidence.

Although the government has made some reforms in government procurement and the bidding process, weaknesses in the system, as well as personnel and the harbouring of problems have not been rectified. This was reflected in the absurd incidents and scandals revealed in the Auditor-General’s Report.

The closed-door operations of the public service and the political system are an obstacle to anti-corruption efforts, allowing many corrupt practices to stay in the shadows.

The next step in the drive against corruption should not only be in rhetoric but institutional reform.

All major corruption cases, regardless of the political background of those involved, must be thoroughly and rigorously investigated and prosecuted. Meanwhile, the MACC’s capacity in investigation and collection of evidence must be strengthened to prevent suspects from escaping through legal loopholes. Government projects and privatisation programmes must be done through open tender, and the competition must be fair and transparent.

It is part of the institutional transformation for the MACC to propose amendment to the Constitution to enhance its independence and investigation power, grant its chief commissioner a constitutional identity, and strengthen its public support. The BN and Pakatan Rakyat should jointly study the feasibility of the proposals and support those that will reinforce the drive against corruption. — Sin Chew Daily

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.