The anti-graft group said Putrajaya had been lacking in institutional reforms despite its strong and repeated emphasis on good governance and reforms.
It noted several deficiencies such as the failure to table bills on political financing, freedom of information and public procurement, as well as to separate the roles of the attorney-general and public prosecutor.
TI-M said there were also a number of high-profile cases where the accused were granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA).
“This creates the perception of political interference in the judiciary or in the prosecution,” it said in a statement, without naming specific cases.
It also said the revision of jail terms and fines after convictions by the apex court created the perception of political interference. While TI-M again gave no names, it is understood to be referring to former prime minister Najib Razak.
Najib had his 12-year jail sentence in the SRC International case halved to six years and his RM210 million fine reduced to RM50 million by the Federal Territories Pardons Board in February 2024.
TI-M said another possible reason for Malaysia’s stagnant score and ranking was that businesses still saw graft as an issue in the public sector, with the practice of soliciting and giving bribes continuing.
It said there appeared to be no progress in two graft cases involving companies, namely Pristine Offshore Sdn Bhd and Hydroshoppe Sdn Bhd.
In March 2021, Pristine Offshore became the first commercial organisation to be charged with corruption. The company was charged with giving bribes to obtain a ship leasing contract worth RM321,350.
In June last year, Hydroshoppe director Abdul Hamid Shaikh Abdul Razak Shaikh was charged with offering an annual bribe of RM500,000 over 15 years to ex-minister Annuar Musa to acquire the KL Tower concession.
TI-M also said there was still a high number of crackdowns on corrupt public officials by graft busters, such as the recent arrest of KLIA customs officers involving the smuggling of vapes worth RM8 million.
Unity govt’s achievements
The group nonetheless acknowledged several achievements by the Anwar Ibrahim-led administration, including the introduction of the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act and launch of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy in June last year.
It also credited the government with giving the auditor-general the authority to audit companies, amending the Trustee Act to curb malpractice, and amending the Companies Act to mandate the disclosure of beneficial ownership and improve transparency.
It said the unity government must accelerate institutional reforms moving forward in order to improve its score and rank in the next CPI.
“TI-M reiterates that the government should seriously consider improving the Integrity Pact to international standards by establishing independent oversight for mega projects to ensure that taxpayers’ money is properly spent,” it said.