PUTRAJAYA: The country has lost approximately RM277 billion due to corruption in a period of five years between 2018 to 2023.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said Malaysia lost about RM55 billion a year, and this was based on cumulative gross domestic product (GDP) estimates.
"This huge amount should be used to help people in various aspects especially in the implementation of social projects such as repairing schools and hospitals, but unfortunately, we've lost it due to the crime of corruption," he said at the launch of the National Anti-Corruption Strategies (NACS) 2024-2028 here, today.
The NACS was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Also present were Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
Azam added that the NACS needed to have an impact and should be implemented by using various approaches and methodologies to identify areas exposed to the latest risks of corruption in the country.
Among them, he said, was through research findings on sectors with an inclination to practice corruption, abuse of power, leakages, or irregularities and weaknesses in administration and governance which had been presented in the Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Research Conference last year.
Azam added that the National Anti Corruption Plan 2019-2023, had managed to improve Malaysia's Corruption Perception Index (CPI).
He also said the country aims to be one of the top 25 nations in the CPI rankings within the next 10 years.
"The global index involving 180 countries worldwide, saw Malaysia jumping to 51st place from the 61st spot in 2018, which was the country's most significant performance, and the best CPI rating in 20 years.
"I hope the NACS will receive support and full commitment from all parties, especially ministries, government departments and agencies on all levels to ensure that the strategies on combating corruption through the NACS can be implemented effectively and achieve its goal of making Malaysia a corruption-free country."
The NACS, he added, focused on the people's wellbeing through the Malaysia Madani agenda, and said the impact and benefit from the strategy would not just be felt nationally, but also expected to bring positive impact on the country on a global scale.
Meanwhile, the NACS booklet, which was distributed during the event, said the RM277 billion leakage could pose a detrimental impact on the country.
"To put this figure into perspective, it (the RM277 billion losses) is equivalent to 28 years of Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah, or nearly matching the combined GDPs of Johor and Penang.
"The persistent leakages within ministries, government departments, government-linked companies and statutory bodies require urgent rectification," the booklet read.