Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) has called for a collective effort from all parties to address the underlying issues contributing to the stagnation result of Malaysia’s rank in the global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2024.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MCPF Senior Vice Chairman Datuk Seri Ayub Yaakob in a statement today said all stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society, and the private sector must unite in their efforts to combat corruption. “We must work together to create a transparent and accountable system that prioritises the welfare of the people. The government has been working hard to foster a culture of integrity through educational programmes and public awareness campaigns. The foundation emphasises that a collective commitment to integrity and ethical governance is essential for improving Malaysia’s CPI ranking in the future,” he said in the statement.

Ayub said MCPF recommends that more focus be given to prevention efforts and strategies instead of focusing too much on investigations. “We believe that effective prevention strategies will help to improve the current situation. Prevention needs to be priorities at all level of leadership whether in public or private sector, civil society and community,” he said.

Moreover, MCPF strongly suggest that the role of several enforcement agencies such as Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC), Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) and Transparency International Malaysia need to be more transparent in sharing its findings and recommendations.

In a recent announcement, Malaysia has retained its position at 57th in the global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2024, the same as 2023. The CPI, published annually, measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption in 180 countries around the world. Among ASEAN countries, Malaysia ranked second-best after Singapore, followed by Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.