MACC And Paul Low Turning Its Back On Transparency International(TI) Will Not Improve The Corruption Perception Index(CPI) Of Malaysia But Cover-Up The Abuses Of Power That Condones Cover-ups Of BN Financial Scandals And Fake News Of Corruption By The Opposition.(e/c)

Press Statement By DAP Secretary-General And MP For Bagan Lim Guan Eng In Komtar, George Town On 27.2.2018.

When Malaysia recorded its lowest ever ranking on the 2017 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) of 47 points and No. 62, that it is now on par with Cuba, both Minister In The Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission(MACC) had retaliated with denial and throwing a tantrum that MACC will devise their own index ranking system. Both should have accepted TI’s assessment of their worst performance ever in fighting corruption, with an open mind by being willing to be subject to scrutiny for this poor performance, and a full post-mortem of inquiry.

The situation is serious that despite huge publicity surrounding MACC efforts in fighting corruption, it is perceived as not going after the big fish or the main culprits that matter. Previously, Malaysia scored 49 points and was ranked 55th in the 2016 CPI. TI Malaysia president Akhbar Satar said that Malaysia dropped in the CPI 2017 due to the 1MDB issue, the SRC International Sdn Bhd case, the RM2.6 billion donation, the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) scandal, the Sabah water scandal as well as the conviction of whistle-blowers such as PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli.

The situation was made worse because 1MDB was not pursued and resolved, creating a sense of impunity with theft of public funds going unpunished. Akhbar added that these cases are examples of the public, investors and the business community losing faith in our system, and that Malaysia should be better than Cuba, better than Africa.

Malaysia’s ranking of 62nd marks the country’s lowest rank ever since the CPI was first introduced in 1994. It is disappointing that the BN government continues to be in denial that MACC is perceived to be increasingly used as a weapon which abuses its powers by either taking action or forbearing action because of political reasons. MACC also allows fake news that are unfavourable to the opposition to be published in the BN-controlled media without any action taken. MACC is also seen as having something to hide by failing to act against allegations of abuse of power and even corruption made against its top official.

Paul Low and MACC should stop attacking the TI and also stop its misguided and selfish move to devise its own ranking system to counter the CPI. Such a ranking system devised by the MACC to promote its own image would have no integrity and credibility. MACC and Paul Low turning its back on Transparency International(TI) will not improve the Corruption Perception Index(CPI) of Malaysia but cover-up the abuses of power that condones cover-ups of BN financial scandals and fake news of corruption by the Opposition.

Paul Low will have come a full circle from being the President of TI defending its work and findings to a Minister now attacking TI’s international standing. Clearly the country is now suffering from an integrity crisis. What is the solution by Paul Low apart from attacking TI and setting up their own ranking system to appease your anger at your failures being so shamefully exposed?

LIM GUAN ENG

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民主行动党秘书长兼峇眼国会议员林冠英于2018年2月27日在喬治市光大发表的文告

反贪会及刘胜权力抗透明国际透明组织,并不会改善马来西亚的贪污印象指数,反之,它掩盖了国阵滥权下制造的金融丑闻,也助长假新闻的滋长,反指反对党贪污腐败。

当大马在2017年贪污印象指数以47分,与古巴齐名获得有史以来最低的第62名的时候,首相署部长刘胜权及反贪会双双却选择报复性的否认这项指数,并负起地宣布大马反贪会将发布自己的贪污指数排名。无论是刘胜权或反贪会应当接受他们在国际透明组织反贪印象指数中有史以来糟糕的表现,并以开放的心态接受审视与评估,全力虚心检讨。

虽则反贪会大肆宣传其打击贪污,但如今事实却非常严峻,因为根本没有对付真正贪污的主要大鱼。大马在2016年是以49分排在第55名,国际透明组织大马分部主席阿克巴透露,大马在2017年贪污印象指数下滑的原因是因为1MDB丑闻、SRC国际私人有限公司丑闻、26亿令吉捐款、联邦土地发展局丑闻、沙巴水门案丑闻,还有将诸如将拉菲兹揭发丑闻者定罪。

随着1MDB丑闻不再追究及解决,大马的贪污情况越来越糟,让人产生盗窃国库者不用受罚的印象。阿克巴还补充说上诉的种种丑闻让公众、投资者及商业领域对于我们的体系失去信心,马来西亚理应比古巴更好比非洲国家更佳才是。

马来西亚在最新的贪污印象指数排行榜中掉至第62名,这是相关指数在1994年推行以来,我国获得最低排名的一次。令人失望的是,国阵政府一如既往地否认我国的反贪会已被视为政治武器,透过对政敌采取行动来达致政治目的。这种情形每况愈下,已有滥权之虞。另外,反贪会也允许国阵控制的媒体肆无忌惮地发布不利反对党的假新闻,对之视而不见,不采取任何行动。面对他人指控反贪会滥权、高层贪污腐败,反贪会却毫无反击,让人不禁联想该会背后是否有着不可告人的秘密。

刘胜权与反贪会应该停止攻击国际透明组织,同时停止误导他人的自私行为,即推出自己设计的排行系统来对抗贪污印象指数。毕竟这套由反贪会自行研发的排行榜,志在改善自己的形象,根本毫无公信力可言。反贪会及刘权胜力抗透明国际透明组织,并不会改善马来西亚的贪污印象指数,反之,它掩盖了国阵滥权下制造的金融丑闻,也助长假新闻的滋长,反指反对党贪污腐败。

刘胜权在担任国际透明组织时,义正言辞地捍卫组织的任务以及研究结果,但今天他兜了一圈,却以部长的身份攻击国际透明组织。明显的,我国现在正遭受廉政危机的困扰。刘胜权除了攻击国际透明组织并建立自己的排名系统以安抚失败与可耻的愤慨之外,请问还有什么解决方案?

林冠英