Malaysian Political Parties Have no Views on Curbing Corruption?

Most Malaysian parties, including the main component parties in the ruling coalition, have made no commitment to promote greater transparency and accountability.

With the general election approaching, The Kuala Lumpur Society for Transparency & Integrity (the Malaysian Chapter of Transparency International) recently concluded a poll of 19 registered political parties to gauge their stand on combating corruption.

Although every effort was taken to remind and encourage all political parties contacted to respond to the poll, including extending the deadline, only four parties replied, clearly stating their positions on issues of transparency and accountability through 'Yes' and 'No' answers (see the summary of results). Of the four parties to respond, PAS (Islamic Party of Malaysia) and Parti Keadilan National (National Justice Party) scored full points, answering 'Yes' to all 28 questions. Next highest score of 27 'Yes' answers went to PRM (Malaysian People's Party) which answered 'Yes' to every question except 3e ("Do you support elections to municipal councils along non-party political lines?"). DAP (Democratic Action Party) also answered 'No' to 3e and failed to commit an answer to 3f ("Will you initiate legislation imposing a maximum of two [five-year] terms for the Prime Minister?") and 5c ("Are you in favour of a public referendum before any major constitutional amendment?").

It has been assumed that the remaining 15 parties - including the main component parties of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition - either have no views on curbing corruption or are non-committal to the issues raised in the poll as their failure to respond suggests. Both PAS and Parti Keadilan National will receive The Society's "Transparency & Integrity Certificate of Honour" for supporting moves to promote transparency and accountability.

For further information...

Please contact The Kuala Lumpur Society for Transparency and Integrity
Tunku Abdul Aziz or Mr. Jeffrey Tan at
Phone: +603-41 49 4596
Fax: +603-41 49 4596
E-Mail: taa@pc.jaring.my

Please also see the questionnaire sent to the 19 registered parties and a summary of the results.