Corruption issues in Malaysia is yet to take centre stage in terms of addressing the menace, says Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M).

"We have enough regulations, institutions and capable people. The issue is whether we can walk the talk," said the president of the Malaysian chapter of the international watchdog on corruption Paul Low.

ti global corruption report 230909 paul low Speaking at a press conference after releasing the findings of the Global Corruption Report (CGR) 2009 today, he said anti-corruption efforts would remain no more than a token gesture until drastic action is taken to separate the cosy relationship between government, business and politics.

The GCR is an annual flagship publication of Transparency International that compiles expert research and analysis globally with a thematic focus related to corruption.

It features some 75 experts in examining the scale, scope and devastating consequences of corporate corruption and covers small-and-medium businesses to multinationals in 46 countries.

On Malaysia, the report said the inter-relationship between the government, civil service and private sector negated the concept of check and balance.

"While it is good in the context of solving the economic problem and dealing with investments but political funding is the big issue," said Low in highlighting the findings of the report.

No results from MACC

The report added that the complexity of the relationships between politics the public and private sectors meant that corruption may take place with impunity.

"Under the circumstances the practice of revolving and rotating doors and active government participation in the economy creates an appearance of impropriety," it added.

Low said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and other reforms have yet to produce desired results and people perceive the commission as practising selective investigation and prosecution.

Asked on Malaysia's efforts in fighting corruption under the leadership of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, he said:" The Najib government has put in place key performance indicators (KPIs) and corruption has been placed second among the KPIs, denoting that it is prepared to confront the issue."

On the efforts of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu), Low said it was extremely good but the government needs a roadmap to identify areas that require improvement.

Pemandu will conduct eight workshops, beginning Oct 5, and focus on six national key result areas of education, low-income households, basic rural infrastructure, urban public transport, corruption and crime.

- Bernama