Rule of law key to public confidence

Malaysia has set an ambitious goal to be among the top 25 countries globally in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) by 2030, a target that underscores its commitment to strengthening governance, integrity, accountability, and the rule of law as foundations for sustainable development.

The nation's progress in the CPI is closely linked to its performance in the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index. This international benchmark assesses the strength of institutions, the effectiveness of justice systems, and the adherence to the rule of law principles. Malaysia secured the 56th position out of 143 countries in the WJP Rule of Law Index 2025, with a score of 0.57, a ranking that remained unchanged from the previous year and slightly below the East Asia and Pacific regional average of 0.59.

This stable but unexceptional performance indicates room for improvement in the justice system, public institutions, and public confidence. The WJP Index evaluates countries across eight key dimensions: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice, and criminal justice, using 44 subfactors.

Recognizing the significance of these indices, the government, through the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reforms), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, is spearheading institutional reforms and legal amendments. Key initiatives include the drafting of the Freedom of Information Act 2026, the Ombudsman Act, and amendments to the Witness Protection Act, aiming to bolster transparency and accountability across public institutions.