In her Welcome Remarks, Puan Daratul Baida Osman Khairuddin, said, The United Nations is built on the foundations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Preamble to that document talks of the inalienable rights of the human family to “freedom, justice and peace”.  Corruption is an immense threat to these rights. It undermines the very fabric of societies and human progress.

“In a diverse region like the Asia-Pacific, which is attempting the twin task of development and democratic consolidation, the problem of corruption cuts through the very core. It diminishes not only the outcomes we seek to achieve, but also corrodes the instruments and mechanisms we have at our disposal to do so.

“The APHDR makes a compelling case that a policy of “Zero tolerance” is the only practical solution. As the saying goes, the accomplice to the crime of corruption is frequently our own indifference. Every effort to crush corruption from the top should be complemented with strong engagement and involvement of the key pillars of civil society, including the media. “

In his presentation, Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam underscored that while the government had made slight progress in terms stemming out corruption, the pace of reforms should be accelerated in order to unlock greater development gains, improve public service delivery and enhance economic efficiency.  

“Malaysia can do much better if there is stronger political will to fight corruption on all fronts. Given the rapid pace of globalization and increasing economic competition among Asian countries, it is time to “pull our socks up.”

Illustrating how tackling corruption will accelerate progress in the region, which is home to two thirds of the world’s poor, the APHDR puts forth several recommendations that provide a common framework for fighting corruption in the region.

Among the most important considerations for Malaysia is the management of natural resources such as forestry, fisheries and minerals.

“If bribery and corruption provisions are too broad in the management of natural resources, laws and policies can be manipulated to the will of big businesses and not for the benefit of the people,” said Tan Sri Navaratnam.

He added that state-colluded degradation of the environment and illegal land expropriations can drive small scale farmers and indigenous communities into abject poverty, further hampering efforts to improve the livelihoods of these groups.

“The main message that we are sending out today is that corruption hits the poor the hardest. In the short run, the rich may thrive in an environment that is rife with corruption. But in the long run, we all lose out.

“Combating corruption effectively can go a long way in meeting our goals of economic growth, better income distribution and more stable prices,” Tan Sri Navaratnam said, adding that the media’s role in exposing corrupt practices and promoting good governance had not been fully tapped in Malaysia.