Even more depressing is the fact that on a scale of ten points, our CPI score fell from 5.1 points last year to 4.5 points this year.

Among Asean countries, Singapore was ranked third, with 9.2 points, while Brunei was 39th with 5.5 points. Malaysia’s only consolation is that it was ahead of other Asean countries like Thailand (84th, 3.4), Indonesia (111th, 2.8), Vietnam (120th, 2.7), Philippines (139th, 2.4), Cambodia (158th, 2), Laos (158th, 2) and Myanmar (178th, 1.4).

We experienced this dismal performance despite the formation of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Integrity Institute of Malaysia. The government has to do some soul searching to find out why we did badly.

Perhaps, it was the lackadaisical attitude adopted over some high profile cases involving corrupt practices and abuse of power.

Corruption involves two parties, a giver and a taker, and always only one party is prosecuted. Perhaps, it’s time to amend the law to prosecute both parties.

Optimistically, when the Whistleblowers’ Act is passed and implemented, it will reduce the level of corruption in the country and consequently improve our ranking.