Corruption
TOWARDS A CORRUPTION FREE MALAYSIA
Introduction Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It is damaging to a country because decisions are taken not for the public benefit but to serve private interests. Corruption undermines good governance, fundamentally distorts public policy, leads to misallocation of resources, and particularly hurts the poor. Controlling it is only possible with the cooperation of a wide range of stakeholders in the integrity system, including most importantly, the state, civil society, and the private sector.1 In Malaysia, the prevalence of corruption has been acknowledged by the Government and various steps have been taken to prevent and eradicate it. Anti-corruption legislation has been enacted, an Anti-Corruption Agency established and other administrative mechanisms like the Public Complaints Bureau set up. Despite these measures however the incidence of corruption has escalated. The spread of corruption, incompetence, malpractices, abuse of power, fraud and other unethical behaviour as well as the lack of work motivation, have been attributed to the decline in integrity among individuals, organizations and society at large.2 When Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi became Prime Minister on 31 October 2003, he pledged to eradicate corruption and promote good governance and ethical values.3 Since assuming office, the Prime Minister has launched the National Integrity Plan and the Integrity
Excerpt from Transparency International’s Mission Statement. National Integrity Plan, p.11, para. 2 3 Statement reiterated in a Special keynote Address “Integrity – The Basis of Good Governance” at the World Ethics and Integrity Forum 2005, 28 – 29 April 2005, Kuala Lumpur.
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1
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Institute of Malaysia as new measures to combat corruption.4 These measures appear to be the right choice according to the following quotation: “Integrity is one of several paths; it distinguishes itself from the others because it is the right
Introduction Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It is damaging to a country because decisions are taken not for the public benefit but to serve private interests. Corruption undermines good governance, fundamentally distorts public policy, leads to misallocation of resources, and particularly hurts the poor. Controlling it is only possible with the cooperation of a wide range of stakeholders in the integrity system, including most importantly, the state, civil society, and the private sector.1 In Malaysia, the prevalence of corruption has been acknowledged by the Government and various steps have been taken to prevent and eradicate it. Anti-corruption legislation has been enacted, an Anti-Corruption Agency established and other administrative mechanisms like the Public Complaints Bureau set up. Despite these measures however the incidence of corruption has escalated. The spread of corruption, incompetence, malpractices, abuse of power, fraud and other unethical behaviour as well as the lack of work motivation, have been attributed to the decline in integrity among individuals, organizations and society at large.2 When Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi became Prime Minister on 31 October 2003, he pledged to eradicate corruption and promote good governance and ethical values.3 Since assuming office, the Prime Minister has launched the National Integrity Plan and the Integrity
Excerpt from Transparency International’s Mission Statement. National Integrity Plan, p.11, para. 2 3 Statement reiterated in a Special keynote Address “Integrity – The Basis of Good Governance” at the World Ethics and Integrity Forum 2005, 28 – 29 April 2005, Kuala Lumpur.
2
1
1
Institute of Malaysia as new measures to combat corruption.4 These measures appear to be the right choice according to the following quotation: “Integrity is one of several paths; it distinguishes itself from the others because it is the right