Malaysia better than 76% of countries, says PM - The Star

By Sim Leoi Leoi

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is better than 76% of the countries in the list surveyed for the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told Lim Kit Siang (DAP - Ipoh Timur) that whether a country improved or declined in the index should not be determined alone from its yearly ranking.

"This is because the number of countries taking part in the index differs from year to year. In 1995, 41 countries took part while in 2006, the number grew to 163. Last year, there were 179 countries.

"A more accurate indicator to show the trend of a country's performance in the index is the country’s score. Malaysia's score since 1995 has been averaging at five points, a good and stable level," he said in a written reply on Monday.

Lim had asked if the Government would set up a royal commission to determine the reasons behind Malaysia's fall from 23rd place on the index to 43rd last year.

Abdullah said if one should analyse the index closely, Malaysia had actually improved in its performance in the fight against corruption.

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