MALAYSIA should not be complacent with its improvement in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2019, and must continue its fight against corruption to achieve better results, said Lim Kit Siang.

The DAP stalwart said in spite of its jump of 10 spots, Malaysia is still behind 50 other countries. 

“The anti-corruption efforts, though remarkable since the change of federal government on May 9, 2018, should be regarded as a start. 

“Malaysia should not be satisfied until we are among the top 30 countries in public integrity. 

“This would mean that we must attain a score in the 60-point bracket,” the Iskandar Puteri MP said in a statement today.

In the index released today, TI said Malaysia moved up 10 places, underlying Putrajaya’s continuous efforts to combat graft under the new government.

With a score of 53 points, Malaysia is now ranked 51 out of 180 countries surveyed by the international graft watchdog.

Announcing the score today, TI-Malaysia president Muhammad Mohan said the improved ranking was due to a number of factors such as the swift action taken by the new government on scandals involving 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), SRC International Sdn Bhd, Felda and Lembaga Tabung Haji.

Meanwhile, Lim said the new ranking was the best Chinese New Year present to Malaysia. 

He added that it should spark the start of a virtuous circle of delivery of Pakatan Harapan general election promises and achievements in 2020. 

“It is the best antidote to the atmosphere of doom and gloom which has descended on Malaysia. 

“Malaysia should not only aim for the best TI CPI score in the TI CPI 2020, but all sectors of society should work to ensure Malaysia can be placed in the top bracket of the world’s 30 top countries in public integrity well before 2030,” he said. – January 23, 2020.