Perceived Corruption in Taiwan Drops to World's 39th for 2008

Taipei, Sept. 29, 2008 (CENS)--Transparency International Taiwan (TIT), the local branch of the global coalition against corruption, recently released its "Corruption Perception Index" or CPI for 2008. Among the 180 countries assessed, Taiwan scored 5.7 points and ranked 39th, down five notches from 2007's 34th , the largest fall ever recorded.

Transparency International started to issue CPI in 1995, with such rating ever since regarded as reflecting the degree of corruption in a country: The higher the CPI for a country, the less corrupt it is, with a maximum CPI being 10 points.

In the past 13 years Taiwan's CPI placed it between the world's 25th and 35th ; however, this year Taiwan gained 5.7 points in CPI and fell in global ranking to 39th. Compared to leading Asia Pacific economies, Taiwan lags far behind. Singapore scored 9.2 points, the world's fourth highest, next only to Demark, New Zealand, and Sweden, which shared the highest score at 9.3 points. Hong Kong had 8.1 points and ranked the 12th; and Japan 7.3 points the 18th. South Korea was only behind Taiwan by 0.1 point at 40th, rocketing 10 notches from 50th in 1999.

China took 72nd place with 3.6 points. Bringing up the rear was Somalia at unity, with Iraq and Myanmar trailing at 1.3, and Haiti at 1.4.

Y.T. Hung, TIT chairman, said Taiwan fared well compared to most nations, but leaves much to be desired relative to economically wealthy and democratic counterparts. Taiwan's economy has been weakened in recent years by political chaos, official corruption, and financial scandals. He urged the new government should rebuild the island's international image by reinforcing its monitoring, regulatory functions.

Hung also suggested that the Taiwan legislature to quickly review the revisions of laws governing financial transparency and legitimacy of officials, as well as money laundering.