Defence Minister Zahid Hamidi has accused Transparency International of employing a biased methodology when conducting its survey on corruption risks in the country’s defence spending and operations.

NONE Referring to Transparency International UK’s Government Defence Anti-Corruption Index released last week, Zahid said the survey findings were merely the global watchdog’s perception which was not necessarily true.

“We do not permit corruption and do not permit anything that can affect the nation’s image. But that is their (Transparency International UK's) view. Their view need not necessarily be true.

“Which country is not considered corrupt? That is their perception. They set the standard.

“From the onset, it was biased in terms of research. If we learn about research methodology, this is a biased survey method,” Zahid told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

In the anti-corruption index, the world's first global analysis of corruption risk in defence establishments worldwide, Malaysia was listed as having a high corruption risk in its defence spending and operations.

Malaysia scored D- in the band range of A to F, placing it the same league with countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Russia, Kazakhstan and Jordan.

Zahidi also expressed dissatisfaction at TI-UK’s insistence in reporting the alleged “perception”, even though his ministry had commented and responded otherwise before the report was published.

“I saw the report. I had the opportunity to comment (on it) even before the report was released.

“However, from past experience, even if we were to give a comment or answer otherwise, they will still write what they perceive about a ministry."

He also claimed a different connotation was give to neighbouring Singapore, which scored a D+, while the latter’s Defence Ministry provided another statement to answer what TI-UK had written.

“I have discussed so that a statement be issued to refute what they have written,” he added.

NONE