KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — Chief Secretary Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa chided Transparency International (TI) for casting doubt on Malaysia civil service today, after the global anti-graft watchdog’s claim that Malaysia is facing a major corruption crisis.
“Over the years, the Malaysian civil service has instituted a variety of measures and initiatives aimed at reforming the civil service towards higher standards of ethics, governance, transparency and accountability,” he said in a statement.
Ali pointed out that TI itself has ranked Malaysia 50th out of 175 countries in its Corruption Perceptions Index last year, which he said was proof of TI’s acknowledgement of the many reforms Malaysia is undertaking.
Speaking at IACC on Wednesday, Transparency International chief José Ugaz said Malaysia will not progress in its fight against corruption if questions surrounding the RM2.6 billion that was deposited into Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s accounts remain unresolved.
However, Anti-Corruption Advisory Board chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim later accused TI of being biased, arguing that an investigation on the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal is still ongoing.
In response, former minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz said the government must not dismiss criticisms made by leading anti-corruption experts at the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) as it will affect the country’s integrity and image.
