Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) president Akhbar Satar said the score was given after careful consideration and served as a suggestion to the relevant parties.
“If the law is not implemented, then how do we give it a good score?
“We had a thorough discussion with the likes of Terence Gomez (professor of political economy in Universiti Malaya) and when we gave the mark, it was done cautiously.”
The report is separated into three sections: public sector, private sector and civil society efforts.
The questions directed to the public sector concern undue influence from the private sector in four areas, whether political contributions are prohibited by law or monitored, and whether lobbying by the private sector is prohibited by law or monitored. In all four instances, the respondents scored “0”.
In summary, the report concluded that Malaysians have a very complacent attitude towards the right business practices while companies do not adopt the suggested practices unless they become law.
The report recommended that Parliament expedite the amendment of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act (MACC) 2009 to include provisions on conflict of interest among public officials who are currently governed by service circulars (policy).
The amendment should compel an individual in certain circumstances to declare his/her assets without MACC initiating a formal corruption investigation.
The report also recommended that MACC target a 95% annual success rate in the conviction of bribery cases in the Special Corruption Sessions Court.
Its long-term recommendations called for MACC’s funding to come from Parliament to ensure the commission remains independent.
It also urged MACC to step up its efforts in the private sector and civil society to support anti-corruption programmes.
The report recommended that the private sector work closely with MACC on anti-corruption programmes, adding that companies need to develop awareness campaigns to increase understanding on corruption.
For civil society, the report recommended that the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 be revised in order to create conditions for the development of an independent and free media while investigative journalism should be encouraged and the government should deregulate the media.
It asked for more pathways for citizens to engage and participate in government and private sector events on anti-corruption.
Akhbar said the report would be submitted to the government for consideration.