Part 9/13:
Corruption pervades everyday life through “Little Napoleons”—bureaucrats wielding arbitrary power. Malaysian citizens face long delays, excessive bureaucratic hurdles, and frequent opportunities for petty corruption, such as bribes to expedite permits or payoffs during law enforcement encounters.
Efforts to curb these practices include proposed reforms to streamline processes and implement a code of conduct for officials—transparency that might reduce unsavory dealings. Civil servant wages are also being increased significantly to deter low-income officials from seeking bribes.