Writer : Ayu Wahyuningsih Syarifah I Editor : Muhammad Fahrezi Syahputra
The latest decrease in Cambodia’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) score has sparked significant concerns over the erosion of governance and transparency in the country, reflecting systemic failures that extend far beyond surface-level statistics. Published annually by Transparency International, the CPI serves as a critical global benchmark, ranking nations from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean) based on perceived public sector corruption. Transparency International’s assessment reveals how such vulnerabilities have created fertile ground for unchecked elite impunity, the suppression of dissent, and a self-reinforcing cycle of corruption that entrenches mistrust and exploitation. As corruption becomes more systemic, it exacerbates the very conditions that enable it, jeopardizing democratic legitimacy, economic stability, and everyday livelihoods. Addressing this decrease requires urgent reforms—such as judicial independence, transparent procurement processes, and empowered civil society—to dismantle the root causes of corruption. Without decisive action, Cambodia risks cementing a culture of impunity that undermines social equity and long-term stability, highlighting the need to confront these intersecting governance gaps and socio-political dynamics. The following sections delve into these key factors, examining how Cambodia’s institutional shortcomings and political realities perpetuate a crisis of accountability.
Key Factors Behind the Decrease
- Increasing Corruption Reports and Lack of Accountability
Increased reports of corruption across Cambodia’s public sector have been a conspicuous contributor to the decline in the CPI score. High-profile cases, such as embezzlement in infrastructure projects or bribery in land disputes, have highlighted systemic impunity among officials, especially those with political connections. Despite the existence of anti-corruption laws, law enforcement remains inconsistent, with investigations often stalled or halted under unclear circumstances. This lack of accountability has fostered a culture where corruption is commonplace, making the public reluctant to report abuses for fear of reprisals. Public disillusionment is further amplified by the perception that elites operate above the law, undermining trust in governance and perpetuating the cycle of exploitation. - Political Climate and Restrictions on Media Freedom
Cambodia’s increasingly authoritarian political environment has hampered efforts to fight corruption by stifling dissent and independent oversight. The dissolution of the main opposition party in 2017 and the imprisonment of critical voices have created a climate of fear, hindering scrutiny of powerful figures. Media freedoms have deteriorated sharply, with independent media shut down or forced to self-censor, leaving many corruption scandals unreported. Journalists who try to investigate corruption face harassment, legal threats or violence, effectively gagging one of the key public checks on power. Without a free press to expose abuses, corrupt practices thrive in secrecy, eroding public awareness and community engagement. - Civil Society Restrictions and Weak Oversight
Government-imposed restrictions on civil society organizations (CSOs) have severely weakened Cambodia’s anti-corruption infrastructure. Laws such as the 2015 Law on Associations and NGOs (LANGO) require CSOs to register under onerous regulations, giving authorities broad powers to disband groups deemed critical of the state. Advocacy organizations focused on transparency or human rights face regular intimidation, raids, and funding freezes, strangling their ability to monitor the government. Meanwhile, state watchdog agencies, such as the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), lack independence and are often accused of prioritizing political allegiances over impartial investigations. This dual assault on civil society and institutional integrity leaves Cambodia without a strong mechanism to demand accountability or push for systemic reform. - Economic Pressures and Post-Pandemic Challenges
As the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the economy, it has increased vulnerability to corruption, especially in sectors that rely on dwindling public resources. As government revenues shrink, public services such as healthcare and education face budget cuts, creating opportunities for officials to exploit gaps through bribery or favoritism. Reliance on international aid and loans to stabilize the economy also increases the risk of mismanagement, with funds diverted through opaque procurement processes. Meanwhile, rising unemployment and poverty have pushed people into informal networks where bribery is often required to access basic services. These economic tensions not only normalize petty corruption, but also encourage large-scale corruption, as elites capitalize on the desperation of the crisis.
Breaking the Cycle: Can Cambodia Overcome Its Corruption Crisis?
In order to turn around the corruption crisis in Cambodia, urgent, multifaceted reforms backed by political will and international support are required. Strengthening the independence of the judiciary is crucial, as courts must be empowered to prosecute high-level corruption without political interference. Transparency in public spending, especially in sectors such as natural resources and infrastructure, can be improved through digitized procurement systems and open data platforms. Civil society and the media should be protected through legal reforms that safeguard freedom of expression and remove punitive restrictions on advocacy groups. International partners, including donors and multilateral institutions, should link aid and investment to measurable anti-corruption progress, thereby promoting accountability. In the end, rebuilding public trust requires concrete actions -such as prosecuting influential figures implicated in corruption – to prove that no one is immune to the law.
Image Source: https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2024/index/
