Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia has seen a slight improvement in its standing on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2025, climbing three places to 54th out of 180 countries with a score of 52 out of 100. Although this represents a two-point increase, concerns are mounting that the gains are superficial, masking a persistent pattern of systemic corruption and a lack of meaningful reform. The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) cautions against complacency, emphasizing that substantial action is needed to achieve the government’s ambitious goal of reaching a top-27 CPI ranking by 2028.
The modest improvement in Malaysia’s CPI score coincides with a year of high-profile raids and asset seizures conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). These operations, including the seizure of over RM169 million from Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his former political secretary, and a RM500 million money-laundering probe involving a “Tan Sri,” have garnered significant media attention. Although, critics argue that these actions are largely reactive and fail to address the underlying structural issues that fuel corruption within the country.
A Pattern of Scandals Despite Enforcement Efforts
Despite the visible enforcement efforts, a series of scandals have continued to plague the government. The Attorney General’s Chambers classified Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi’s Yayasan Akalbudi case as requiring no further action, despite evidence presented on 47 corruption charges. A separate scandal involving mineral exploration rights in Sabah implicated 15 assembly members in alleged bribery. Shamsul Iskandar Akin, a former political secretary to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has been accused of receiving bribes linked to the Sabah mining scandal, though he has pleaded not guilty. These cases, alongside accusations of falsified documents within the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the acquittal of Adam Radlan on corruption charges related to the Jawa Wibawa project after paying a compound of RM4.1 million, paint a picture of impunity at multiple levels of government.
Adding to these concerns, a recent report from Bloomberg alleged that MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki owns around RM800,000 worth of shares in a company, potentially breaching public service regulations. This latest allegation has reignited scrutiny of the MACC itself and its ability to operate independently and impartially.
Systemic Issues and the Need for Reform
The C4 Center argues that the focus on high-profile arrests and seizures is insufficient without addressing the systemic issues that allow corruption to flourish. “Frequent raids, arrests and seizures have done little to meaningfully affect greater structural change within Malaysia’s public institutions,” the organization stated. They highlight that while the MACC has been active in publicizing asset seizures, few political actors have been ultimately convicted or held fully accountable.
The organization points to the need for fundamental reforms, including removing the Prime Minister’s appointment powers over the MACC chief commissioner and expanding the jurisdiction of a proposed national ombudsman to investigate misconduct within the commission. They similarly advocate for the separation of the offices of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor, establishing an independent public prosecutor appointed through a non-executive-dominated process, and the implementation of a comprehensive political financing act. This act, according to C4 Center, should mandate public reporting of all political funds, prohibit corporate donations, and impose strict limits on anonymous contributions.
Government Acknowledgment and Future Steps
The need for reform is increasingly being acknowledged within the government itself. Following a defeat in the Sabah state elections in December 2025, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) leadership openly called for accelerating long-delayed reforms to restore public confidence. This internal recognition of the problem underscores the urgency of addressing systemic corruption.
To achieve its goal of a top-27 CPI ranking by 2028, Malaysia would need to improve its score by 14 points within the next two years. Given the limited progress made in the first three years of the “Madani” government – a mere two-point increase – achieving this target will require a significant and sustained commitment to comprehensive reform. The focus must shift from reactive enforcement to proactive measures that address the root causes of corruption and promote transparency and accountability at all levels of government.
As the Madani government moves forward, the implementation of these reforms will be crucial. The coming months will be a critical test of its commitment to tackling corruption and building a more transparent and accountable Malaysia.
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