SHAH ALAM, 9 Dec: The Federal Government should double their efforts in fighting corruption at all levels because the country is only ranked 53 out of 177 countries in the World Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 compared to Singapore and Brunei, respectively ranked fifth and 38.
Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said that corruption problem is worsening because there is not political will and determination by the Federal Government to combat the problem to the end.
“Continuous corruption and bribery will inhibit social development, widen the income gap and increase the financial burden of the people.
“Corruption and bribery which is increasing in Malaysia has cause various leakages and wastage in government finances as raised by the government themselves in the Annual Auditor-General’s Report,” said Anwar in his message in conjunction with the world Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December.
Anwar said that leakages from corruption and bribery which is rampant in this country has resulted in the increase in the people’s burden with the reduction of subsidies for necessities and goods and services tax (GST) which will be implemented.
“Because of this, the people are burdened with the increase in the price of goods, such as sugar, electricity, petrol and the GST,” he said.
In relation to that, he said that steps to eradicate corruption needs to be intensified at all levels of society, race and religion, and awareness should exist where recipients and givers of bribe can be eliminated.
“In conjunction with this celebration, we need to intensify efforts to eradicate corruption and bribers which should start by increasing the awareness of individuals and the public regarding the dangers of this problem by exposing current issues.
“Government leaders must also ensure good stewardship by determining to eradicate corruption,” he said.
The World Anti-Corruption Day was inspired by the General Assembly of the United Nations as a result of resolution 58/4 entitled “United Nations Convention Against Corruption”.
It is celebrated every year on 9 December and aims to raise public awareness of the dangers of corruption and bribery, and it is also an international collaboration to deal with this problem.
