Close to 3,000 Malaysian government employees have been caught accepting bribes in the last 10 years, according to data presented in parliament. The figures, drawn from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), highlight the scale of corruption within the public sector and its persistent impact on governance.
Between 2015 and June 2025, a total of 6,585 cases of bribery—both giving and receiving—were recorded. Of these, nearly 4,000 individuals were caught, comprising 2,965 public servants and 1,101 private sector employees. Law Minister Azalina Othman Said revealed the figures in a written parliamentary reply, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
Ethnic Malays made up about 75 per cent (3,690) of bribery-related cases, followed by Chinese and Indian offenders. However, statistics also showed that those most likely to offer bribes were from the Chinese community.
Calls for Whistle-blower Rewards
In light of these numbers, Deputy House Speaker Ramli Mohd Nor has proposed offering financial incentives to whistle-blowers who expose corrupt practices in government agencies. He suggested cash rewards of between RM1,000 and RM2,000 (S$400 to S$600), pointing out that similar incentives are already applied in certain criminal investigations.
One example raised was the so-called “counter setting” practice, where immigration officers manipulate systems to enable the illegal movement of individuals across borders. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has since said he would “consider” the proposal.
Corruption Index Shows Regional Contrast
Malaysia currently ranks 57th out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), a measure of perceived corruption in the public sector. The ranking underscores the challenges Malaysia faces in cleaning up graft within its institutions.
In contrast, Singapore remains one of the least corrupt nations in the world, ranking third on the CPI. The comparison highlights the stark difference in governance standards between the two neighbouring countries, with Singapore consistently praised for its strong anti-corruption framework.
As Malaysia continues to battle entrenched corruption, observers believe that reforms, stronger enforcement, and protection for whistle-blowers will be critical in restoring public trust and ensuring accountability within both government and private sectors.