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Singapore is 8th least corrupt nation in the world: Index

SINGAPORE — The Republic has dropped one spot to eighth in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index released by Berlin-based watchdog Transparency International today (Jan 27).

SINGAPORE — The Republic has dropped one spot to eighth in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index released by Berlin-based watchdog Transparency International today (Jan 27).

Singapore received an overall score of 85 out of 100 — one higher than last year’s score of 84 — but the Republic was overtaken by the Netherlands in the ranking that measures the level of corruption worldwide. The Republic was previously ranked fifth in 2013 and 2012.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Singapore was ranked the second least corrupt nation behind New Zealand (4th) and ahead of Australia (13th). Malaysia (54th), Thailand (76th) and Indonesia (88th) were the next best countries in South-east Asia behind Singapore.

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Transparency International’s index is based on expert opinions of public sector corruption and ranks countries on a scale from 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 100 (perceived to be very clean). Denmark, Finland and Sweden were the three least corrupt countries in the world, according to the index, with Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia at the very bottom.

In a statement from Singapore's Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) Wednesday, it noted that Singapore continues to be one of the least corrupt countries in the world and the Republic’s public sector remains as one of the cleanest. "This is testament to Singapore’s continued vigilance, commitment and zero-tolerance approach in our fight against corruption," it said. 

CPIB added that results of the transparency index also attest that corruption in Singapore remains under control, with the number of corruption complaints and cases registered for investigations by the CPIB at 30-year lows.

Overall, two-thirds of the 168 countries on the index scored below 50. Brazil saw the biggest drop on the index, falling 5 points and 7 positions to a rank of 76th.

“The 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index clearly shows that corruption remains a blight around the world,” said Mr José Ugaz, Chair of Transparency International.

As part of its efforts this year to tackle corruption, Transparency International has set up a website (unmaskthecorrupt.org) for people to vote on the most pressing graft cases.

Some of the cases cited include the FIFA scandal, the Myanmar jade trade and former Ukranian president Viktor Yanukovych.

“Corruption can be beaten if we work together. To stamp out the abuse of power, bribery and shed light on secret deals, citizens must together tell their governments they have had enough,” said Mr Ugaz.

THE TOP TEN LEAST CORRUPT COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD

  1. Denmark
  2. Finland
  3. Sweden
  4. New Zealand
  5. Netherlands
  6. Norway
  7. Switzerland
  8. Singapore
  9. Canada
  10. Germany, Luxembourg, UK (Joint-10th)

THE TOP TEN MOST CORRUPT COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD

  1. Somalia
  2. North Korea
  3. Afghanistan
  4. Sudan
  5. South Sudan
  6. Angola
  7. Libya
  8. Iraq
  9. Venezuela, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti (Joint-9th)

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