Many people would normally associate corruption as a moral or political problem; they may not immediately realise how corruption can have economic costs and negative impacts on society.
The economy is not just some big national data and figures such as gross domestic product (GDP) but should also include contributing factors such as labour and land use. Exploited labour and land grabs bring misery to people and impoverish some.
Losses in the economy due to corruption could lead to an increase in the cost of living, as the bribers would be prepared to pass on the costs to the end consumer. Ultimately, this could mean higher prices for housing and private vehicles. When rent-seeking becomes the norm, it distorts market competition, prevents a healthy market and denies fair opportunities.
Losses to government coffers from corruption would also mean less money for communities in need. Layers of corruption can also pose risks to society if certain projects cut corners and compromise quality control and public safety.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a pledge or schedule an auto donation to Aliran every month or every quarter
- Become an Aliran member
To learn more about the impact of corruption on our economy, check out the first public lecture series of the Corruption-Free Generation.
Date: 25 March 2023
Venue: Auditorium Tun Mohamed Suffian, Faculty of Law, Universiti Malaya
Keynote lecture: Creating systemic corruption: Politics, power, policies
– Dr Edmund Terence Gomez, former professor of political economy, University of Malaya
Topic 1: Mismanagement of land and its impact on food security and farming communities.
– Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, former Sungai Siput MP
Topic 2: Labour migration – fuelling economic growth or shadow economy?
– Adrian Pereira, executive director and co-founder, North-South Initiative
Topic 3: Trickle-down corruption
Dr Melati Nungsari, associate professor of economics, Asia School of Business
Organiser: Agora Society Malaysia
Event Partners: Universiti Malaya Students Union, Rasuah Busters
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
