Corruption as a Cultural Problem

Are Malaysians generally tolerant of corruption, accepting it as an inevitable practice and part of our culture? Some think not, and the last general election showed that voters seem to be abandoning the corruption scandal-ridden UMNO and BN parties, resulting in UMNO's worst ever electoral performance. According to the Merdeka Center's January Public Opinion Survey, 'corruption' is the third most important issue to the public, with around 9% of respondents choosing 'corruption' as their top issue. On the other hand, according to Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index 2022, Malaysia's score has been declining for three consecutive years, dropping by 6 points from 53 (2019) to 47 (2022). This shows that both the public and experts agree that Malaysia's corruption problem is getting worse. 

Given these perceptions, what is more interesting is how the public would respond and react. 

A cultural problem should stem from a certain belief or perception based on information and narratives that people are accustomed to. 

So in this public lecture we ask:

- Are people getting enough and the right information about corruption? 

- Do the news media and social media report corruption cases fairly and comprehensively? 

- What are the challenges and obstacles faced by investigative journalists trying to expose corruption scandals? 

- What are the real obstacles for those policy research organisations that are serious about conducting research and trying to uncover the truth informing the public about the corruption network and its impact? 

- To what extent does the information provided by the media and research organisations empower people to take action and demand that the government clean up its act?

To learn more about the impact of public perception, information and reactions to corruption, join us on Saturday 22 July (2pm-5pm) for the third public lecture series of the Corruption-Free Generation.

𝑫𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒔:

Date: 22 July 2023 (Saturday)

Time: 2pm – 5pm

Venue: KLSCAH Auditorium

Language: English & Malay

Organiser: Agora Society Malaysia & KLSCAH Civil Rights Committee

Event Partners: Rasuah Busters, Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM)

Topic 1: Correlation between culture and corruption: does one have an impact in shaping the other?

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫: 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝗿𝘂𝗽𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻, Exco Member, Transparency International Malaysia

Topic 2: Public perception on corruption : who cares, what do they want?

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫: 𝗜𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗺 “𝗕𝗲𝗻” 𝗦𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗮𝗻, Co-founder and Director, Merdeka Center for Opinion Research

Topic 3: Researching corruptions and roles of intelligentsia in informing the public

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫: 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗸 𝗪𝗶𝗿𝗮 𝗗𝗿. 𝗛𝗷 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳, President and CEO, EMIR Research

Topic 4: Journalism: Not Giving into Pressure and Unwarranted Interference

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫: 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗻𝗶𝗺 𝗟𝗼𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻, Editor, Sinar Daily

𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘀𝗵𝗹𝗮𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝗶𝗱𝘂, Executive Director, Center for Independent Journalism

Admission is Free, Please scan the QR code or use this link: tinyurl.com/CFG-cultural for registration

For more information, please refer to our official page (Corruption-Free Generation) or contact Chan Yit Fei (agora.msia@gmail.com)

Thank you. We look forward to seeing you at the event.