Singapore world’s third least corrupt country – Transparency International

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A new report from Transparency International (TI) sees mixed results for Southeast Asia (SEA) with Singapore maintaining its position as the region’s least corrupt nation, while Malaysia and Thailand grapple with governance challenges.

“Asia Pacific is home to a third of the world’s population, has the second largest number of young people, and is the region most prone to natural disasters. Without concerted efforts to fight corruption now, this first generation currently facing extreme climate change will bear the brunt of its disastrous consequences,” TI notes.

Singapore third on global list

Singapore remains one of the world’s least corrupt countries, ranking third with a score of 84 on TI’s “Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024”. The city-state’s stringent anti-corruption measures, robust rule of law, and strong regulatory frameworks have helped it maintain its high standing. However, watchdogs caution against complacency, noting that undue corporate influence and opaque political financing could erode trust over time.

Malaysia scored 50, reflecting concerns over political interference in anti-corruption bodies, procurement irregularities, and slow judicial processes in high-profile corruption cases. While recent reforms, such as greater oversight of government-linked companies, have been steps in the right direction, more is needed to rebuild public confidence, TI wrote.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government has pledged to enhance transparency and strengthen whistleblower protections to address these concerns.

Thailand registered a CPI score of 34, indicating systemic corruption issues that continue to hinder governance and economic development. The country struggles with patronage networks, weak enforcement of anti-corruption laws, and a lack of accountability in public spending. Experts emphasised the need for judicial independence and stronger investigative bodies to improve Thailand’s standing.

TI says “Governments across Asia Pacific are still failing to deliver on anti-corruption pledges”, adding that “after years of stagnation, the 2024 average score for the region has dropped by 1 point to 44”.

The index underscores the continued failure of governments in SEA to uphold anti-corruption commitments, even as graft continues to exacerbate the region’s vulnerability to climate change. As climate impacts become more severe, corruption is undermining disaster preparedness, diverting climate financing, and obstructing the enforcement of environmental regulations. This failure to effectively use resources meant to address climate crises is especially detrimental given the high levels of vulnerability across the region, according to TI.

Across the region, corruption remains a barrier to sustainable development, investment, and public trust. As geopolitical competition intensifies and economies seek post-pandemic recovery, tackling corruption will be crucial to ensuring long-term growth and stability.

Singapore ‘must remain vigilant’

Singapore is not immune to the broader regional trends. The report serves as a reminder that even nations with strong governance frameworks must remain vigilant in the face of emerging challenges, including those related to the climate crisis.

Singapore’s well-established systems of transparency and accountability are critical in mitigating corruption, particularly as it faces the long-term effects of climate change. However, the broader regional decline in scores calls for continued improvements in climate governance, ensuring that the funds allocated for climate adaptation and mitigation are used effectively.

TI: Malaysia should improve transparency

Malaysia faces ongoing struggles with public-sector corruption. Despite some progress, graft remains a significant barrier to effective governance and climate action. The country faces challenges in addressing systemic corruption that impedes the efficient use of climate financing, undermining its ability to prepare for and respond to the climate crisis.

Malaysia’s government must take decisive steps to improve transparency and accountability, ensuring that resources to address climate vulnerabilities reach those most in need. TI underscores the need for comprehensive reforms to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms and rebuild public trust.

Thailand at frontline of climate change, reforms needed – TI

Thailand’s performance on the CPI remains concerning, with corruption continuing to plague the public sector. This poses a significant challenge to the country’s ability to respond to the escalating impacts of climate change.

The diversion of climate finance and the lack of effective governance systems hinder the country’s progress in disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts. The 2024 CPI calls for urgent reforms to address corruption and strengthen Thailand’s capacity to manage climate challenges.

On the frontline of the effects of climate change, Thailand should urgently prioritise anti-corruption measures to safeguard resources necessary for climate resilience.

Only Vietnam, Cambodia outperform Thailand elsewhere in SEA

Across SEA, TI paints a stark picture of corruption continuing to undermine critical climate action. With the wider ASEAN region home to one-third of the world’s population and highly vulnerable to natural disasters, governments must urgently address corruption to mitigate the consequences of climate change, the NGO adds.

With a score of 40, Vietnam continues to face public-sector corruption challenges, especially in the energy sector, including wind and solar initiatives. Indonesia, to the south of Malaysia and Singapore, scored 37, thanks to widespread corruption around natural resources and energy sectors. Recent public outrage over such as the Rempang Eco City has underscored the intersection of corruption and climate governance.

Laos, with a score of 28, remains one of SEA’s most corrupt nations, due to weak rule of law, political instability, and entrenched government corruption, particularly in infrastructure development and opaque state-owned enterprises.  Myanmar, which shares borders with Thailand and Laos, has been grappling with severe governance challenges, particularly following the military coup in 2021. The political instability and military-led government have exacerbated corruption across all sectors, resulting in a score of 23.

Corruption is pervasive at all levels of government in Cambodia, to the southeast of Thailand, with the judiciary, law enforcement, and public services particularly vulnerable. In recent years, Cambodia has also struggled with the illegal logging trade, often facilitated by corrupt officials, contributing to its 21 score. 

With a score of 90, Denmark remains the world’s least corrupt country, thanks to strong institutions, transparent governance, and effective rule of law. Somalia, which scored just 13 on the index, is the most corrupt country globally, with systemic corruption pervading all levels of government and institutions.

The recent findings serve as a call to action for countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand to uphold their anti-corruption pledges and ensure climate funds are not diverted, but directed toward the most vulnerable communities, according to TI.