KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has recorded a promising advancement in the global fight against graft, moving up to 54th place in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). This marks a steady climb from the 57th position held in 2024, signaling international recognition of the country’s ongoing governance reforms.
According to the report released by Transparency International (TI), Malaysia’s score improved to 52 points out of 100, up from 50 in the previous evaluation. This upward trend places Malaysia as the third cleanest nation in ASEAN, trailing only behind Singapore and Brunei.
Key Drivers of Improvement
The score reflected several legislative milestones and enforcement actions taken over the past year. Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) highlighted several contributing factors:
- Legislative Reforms: The enactment of the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act 2023 and amendments to the Audit Act 1957, which granted the Auditor-General more oversight over Government-Linked Companies (GLCs).
- Corporate Transparency: The implementation of beneficial ownership disclosure through the Companies (Amendment) Act 2024.
- High-Profile Enforcement: Continued investigations and legal actions against high-ranking officials and political elites, reinforcing the message of accountability.
A Step Toward the “Top 25” Goal
The improvement is seen as a positive step toward Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s ambitious target for Malaysia to reach the Top 25 globally by 2033. Under the “MADANI” administration, the government has launched the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2024–2028 and established a dedicated CPI Task Force to streamline institutional integrity.
Calls for Systemic Change
Despite the progress, TI-M President cautioned against complacency. The organization noted that the current improvement should be viewed as “progress in motion” rather than a completed systemic shift.
“The challenge now is to sustain and accelerate these reforms. Political stability provides a unique window to implement meaningful changes that the public expects,” the statement read.
Critical areas that still require urgent attention include:
- Public Procurement: Reducing corruption risks in large-scale government contracts.
- Whistleblower Protection: Strengthening the 2025 amendments to better shield those reporting misconduct.
- Political Financing: The need for comprehensive regulations to govern how political parties are funded.
Globally, the 2025 CPI was topped by Denmark, Finland, and Singapore, while countries plagued by conflict, such as South Sudan and Somalia, remained at the bottom of the 182-nation index.
