Taiwan was ranked No. 32 out of 183 nations in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index released Dec. 1 by Transparency International, marking improvement for the third consecutive year, according to the Government Information Office.
“Taiwan’s 6.1 out of 10 is its highest score in the 17 years since the index was introduced in 1995,” GIO Minister Philip Yang said. “We improved most compared to other nations in the Asia-Pacific region and are one of the five countries worldwide to make the most progress.
“This indicates the ROC government’s efforts in pushing for a clean and efficient government have received international recognition,” Yang said.
The Ministry of Justice pointed out that recent actions aimed at clean government include amendment of the Anti-Corruption Statute to encompass the possession of unexplained assets and bribery of anyone to influence an official act, whether or not that person is a government official; revision of the Money Laundering Control Act; and the establishment of the Agency Against Corruption July 20.
In addition, the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force, an intergovernmental body combating money laundering and terrorist financing, removed Taiwan from its list of “jurisdictions under prima facie review” in October 2009, “making Taiwan the only nation in Asia to be exempted from such evaluations,” the MOJ said.
Regionally, Taiwan ranked fourth, trailing Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan, which came in at No. 5, 12 and 14, respectively. South Korea was ranked No. 43, and mainland China No. 75.
“The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries according to their perceived levels of public-sector corruption,” Transparency International said.
“The 2011 index draws on different assessments and business opinion surveys carried out by independent and reputable institutions,” the organization continued, explaining that “the surveys and assessments used to compile the index include questions relating to the bribery of public officials, kickbacks in public procurement, embezzlement of public funds, and questions that probe the strength and effectiveness of public-sector anti-corruption efforts.”
Transparency International is a German-based international anti-corruption organization. (THN)
Write to Grace Kuo at morningk@mail.gio.gov.tw