Denmark is least corrupt; Somalia, N.Korea the most

– Picture by Yusof Mat IsaKUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27- Malaysia has suffered a drop in Transparency International’s 2015 Corruption Perception Index, with a ranking of 54 compared to 50 in 2014, based on official figures released today.

The report states that underperformers in the 2015 CPI do not only include many African Countries, but European and Asian Countries such as Bulgaria, Myanmar, Afghanistan and North Korea.

Overall, two-thirds of the 168 countries studied scored below 50 and the global average was 43.

Among the nations that scored the top marks were Denmark (91%), Finland (90%), Sweden (89%), New Zealand (88%), Netherlands and Norway (87%).

According to the organization, more than 6 billion people live in countries with a serious corruption problem.

India was placed at 76th position out of 168 countries with a score of 38 out of a possible 100 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2015, improving from its position of 85 and 94 in 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Yet in places like Guatemala, Sri Lanka and Ghana, citizen activists in groups and on their own worked hard to drive out the corrupt, sending a strong message that should encourage others to take decisive action in 2016.

Issues surrounding 1Malaysia Development Berhad and the RM2.6bil donation were among reasons why Malaysia slipped four points down the global corruption perception index (CPI).

Further downgrades in New Zealand’s scores are likely if areas such as access to information and governance of the environment fail to keep pace with the trends in northern European countries.

“The unfolding Petrobras scandal brought people into the streets in 2015 and the start of judicial process may help Brazil stop corruption”, said the report.

Other decliners a year ago included Libya, Australia, Spain and Turkey.

“Corruption can be beaten if we work together”, said TI chairman Jose Ugaz in a statement. The big improvers include Greece, Senegal and UK.