2017 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI 2017) highlights that the majority of countries are making little or no progress in ending corruption, while further analysis shows journalists and activists in corrupt countries risking their lives every day in an effort to speak out.
The index, which ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption according to experts and businesspeople, uses a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 is highly corrupt and 100 is very clean.
This year, the index found that more than two-thirds of countries score below 50, with an average score of 43.
Unfortunately, compared to recent years, this poor performance is nothing new.
Listed below, excerpted from the index report, herewith are the rankings of each Southeast Asian nations in CPI 2017:
| World Rank | Country | Score 2017 | Score 2016 |
| 6 | Singapore | 84 | 84 |
| 32 | Brunei | 62 | 58 |
| 62 | Malaysia | 47 | 49 |
| 91 | Timor Leste | 38 | 35 |
| 96 | Indonesia | 37 | 37 |
| 96 | Thailand | 37 | 35 |
| 107 | Vietnam | 35 | 33 |
| 111 | Philippines | 34 | 35 |
| 130 | Myanmar | 30 | 28 |
| 135 | Laos | 29 | 30 |
| 161 | Cambodia | 21 | 21 |
According to the report's regional analysis, these are the highlights and effective strategy that could help the index to improve next year which includes:
# Putting in place laws and institutions that will prevent corruption from happening in the first place. Legal frameworks and access to information are essential components of a healthy political system where citizens can play a role in demanding accountability and preventing corruption. Whistleblower protection mechanisms and autonomous, well-resourced anti-corruption agencies are also a must in the Asia Pacific region.
# Reducing impunity for the corrupt. Professional and independent justice systems are necessary where police and prosecutors can respond to technical criteria and not political power plays.
# Improving space for civil society to speak out. Governments should ensure that activists can speak freely throughout the region without fear of retaliation.
# Improving integrity and values. Schools and universities should educate youth about ethics and values. Corporations should promote business integrity in the private sector and make these ideas more mainstream.
Rather than focus solely on the scores, rankings and method, we, the Southeast Asians could do substantial changes in this regard.
Don't you think?
