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Sabah Corruption Scandal May Impact Malaysia and Madani perceptions

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The recent corruption scandal involving Sabah leaders could impact Malaysia’s ranking in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), according to Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) President Muhammad Mohan.

Speaking in a briefing today, Muhammad explained that the scandal, which surfaced late last year, was unlikely to affect the 2024 CPI, as data collection typically occurs in August or September. However, he warned that Malaysia’s ranking may suffer next year as public perception of corruption plays a key role. It is not only a national matter, it is also a political matter as the Madani concept may also suffer setbacks and perception deficit.

Malaysia’s CPI 2024 score remained stagnant at 50 points, placing the country 57th among 180 nations. Muhammad attributed this to weak enforcement, reduced sentences in high-profile cases, and numerous cases of “discharge not amounting to acquittal” (DNAA).

Sabah Corruption Scandal

The Sabah corruption allegations, first exposed by Malaysiakini in November, claim that several state leaders accepted bribes from a businessman in exchange for mining licenses. When asked whether delayed action by authorities contributed to Malaysia’s stagnant CPI score, Muhammad pointed to flaws in whistleblower protection laws.

Under Malaysia’s current Whistleblower Protection Act, individuals must report misconduct directly to enforcement agencies to receive protection. Muhammad noted that those who reveal information to the media are not legally recognized as whistleblowers, limiting their safeguards.

“This legal loophole poses a major challenge. Many may choose not to report corruption if they fear repercussions,” he said.

Sabah Corruption Scandal

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