Thursday, November 3, 2011

Malaysia improves significantly in global bribe survey

Though Malaysian companies performed below the global average in the Bribe Payers Index (BPI) released by Transpa­rency International Malaysia (TI), it has improved significantly from the last time it was rated in 2006.

Malaysia scored 7.6 out of 10, below the 7.8 average global score measuring the likelihood of companies giving bribes in overseas deals.

Malaysia scored 5.6 out of 10 the last time.

The survey, conducted from May 5 to July 8, measured countries whose companies were more likely to give bribes closer to zero points while those that were less inclined to giving bribes scored closer to 10.

TI president Datuk Paul Low said Malaysia’s score had improved significantly from the last time it was rated but stressed that the current score indicated that more needed to be done.

“Malaysia seems to hover just over or below the average every time. It just shows that there is still room to improve,” he said when launching the BPI yesterday.

Low said the sectors worst affected by corruption were construction, forestry and defence procurements while the worst sectors globally were oil and gas, manufacturing and public works, contracts and construction.

He acknowledged that local companies had made a move to fight graft but pointed out that this needed Government support in formulating strict laws.

The BPI findings are expected to be tabled at a roundtable integrity meeting scheduled for next month between the nation’s various business players and enforcement authorities.

Source : The Star

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