Malaysia rises two spots in good governance ranking, Anwar warns against complacency

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for stronger public service delivery after Malaysia climbed two spots to 40th in the Chandler Good Government Index 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 07 Nov 2026 9:02 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — Malaysia’s rise to 40th place among 133 countries in the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) 2026 recognises the government’s continuous efforts to strengthen national administrative capacity, integrity and effectiveness, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“This achievement is no excuse for us to be complacent. There is still room for attention, specifically in strengthening inter-agency coordination and ensuring every policy and plan is executed more efficiently and effectively,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

He said the Madani government’s priority remains building robust institutions, improving public service delivery and ensuring every development effort brings tangible benefits to the people.

“Ultimately, a government’s success is not merely measured through its ranking in international indices, but through changes that can be felt in the people’s lives,” he added.

Malaysia climbed two spots from 42nd in 2025 in the index, which evaluates national governance performance across seven core pillars.

The seven pillars are Leadership and Foresight, Attractive Marketplace, Financial Stewardship, Robust Laws and Policies, Global Influence and Reputation, Helping People Rise, and Strong Institutions.

In the 2026 list, Malaysia ranks behind China in 39th place, Slovakia (38th) and Saudi Arabia (37th).

Singapore maintained its top position for the fourth consecutive year since 2023, followed by Norway in second place and Denmark in third. — Bernama