Malaysia's improved ranking on the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index 2023 should prod disparagers to finally acknowledge Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's anti–corruption jihad as the cornerstone of his sociopolitical reforms.
This mission has netted spectacular results: an unshackled Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's deep dive into graft going back generations has investigated and indicted political and corporate sacred cows that Malaysians had shrugged off as "untouchables".
Yet, critics are aggrieved that the prime minister's reformasi overlooked their pet governance demands. Startlingly, these disparagers, including so-called allies, supporters and admirers, descended into a "blind spot", mocking the unheard–of investigations of a formidable former PM and his uber–wealthy sons, and indictment of his powerful former financial confidant and his wife.
They repudiated this essence of reformasi as Anwar's "harsh" campaign to "settle scores", seek "revenge" and launch a "witch–hunt" of his tormentors. It implied that the disparagers are in denial that these unique precedents represent a quantum leap in reformasi objectives.
We hope they hit an epiphany: the PM's motives have no relevance to the investigations but the denigrators' inane renunciations suggest unconscionable prejudice. Still, MACC has accomplished its monumental task: haul to court the powerfully corrupt and secure prima facie cases.
Because of the perception that went into MACC's investigations last year, Malaysia's CPI scored 50 points compared with 47 in 2022. The three–point nudge that propped Malaysia to the 57th position compared with 61st in 2022 might have been influenced by surveys up to August last year but crucially, the after–effects still reverberate.
MACC's indictment strategy was ingenious: they highlighted defendants' unwillingness or inability to comply with orders to declare assets measured against the legitimacy of their wealth.
Predictably, the defendants deployed "off-court" countermeasures demeaning the PM's motives but deflected inquiries on how they accrued such wealth by deigning outrage in media conferences.
Nevertheless, Transparency International rightly cautioned that Malaysia's ranking may slip once certain "worrying trends" are weighed in, including high–profile corruption trials that were stunningly scuttled on dubious technicalities.
The Madani administration is now seeking a CPI top 25 ranking and to hit this target, TI-Malaysia suggested the government roll out concrete plans. But at this current momentum, Anwar is on cruising speed, after vowing that no one can shield themselves behind lofty positions, honorifics or Islam, to impede the crush of justified indictments.
Pertinently, those who rained on Anwar's impetus can reverse their positions by backing Anwar's anti–corruption drive. The boosted CPI ranking may not only boost foreign investor confidence, but also provide catharsis for Malaysians humiliated by corrupt political leaders.