CM leads his cabinet in reciting and signing integrity pledge, ministers to declare assets to Prime Minister
Adenan (seated left) with Low (seated, centre) and his ministers sharing a light moment with the press during a press conference after the integrity pledge by his ministers and assistant ministers. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Sarawak breaks new ground in the fight against corruption when its ministers and assistant ministers signed the integrity pledge yesterday.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem led his ministers and assistant ministers in reciting and signing the integrity pledge at Wisma Bapa Malaysia.
Adenan had made a similar pledge after he became the state’s fifth chief minister last year.
Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan who is overseas will sign the pledge upon his return.
The recitation and signing of the integrity pledge were witnessed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Paul Low and state Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) director Badrul Shah Norman.
Prior to the integrity pledge signing, the state cabinet ministers and assistant ministers were briefed by MACC deputy chief commissioner (prevention) Datuk Mustafar Ali.
Speaking at a press conference after the signing ceremony, Adenan said his ministers and assistant ministers signed the pledge as proof of their sincerity and honesty in running the government for the people.
“Of course, the cynics and skeptics will say this is just a show. I will not jump to conclusion now. We will see what happens after this. Don’t prejudge us. This is the first step,” he said.
When asked how many ‘steps’ his cabinet ministers would have to go through, Adenan said: “We will see what happen. If one step is enough, that’s enough.”
Adenan agreed to a suggestion that his statement “we will see what happens” served as a warning to his ministers and assistant ministers to toe the line and keep up with the integrity pledge.
The chief minister explained that after signing the integrity pledge, the ministers and assistant ministers would have to submit their asset declarations to him.
He added that he would then submit their declaration to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“That is the practice. In fact, I have already submitted mine when I was a federal minister.”
On the timeline for the ministers and assistant ministers to submit their asset declaration, Adenan said: “I don’t expect them to take their sweet time but as soon as possible. Except, they will take a very short time because there is not much asset to declare anyway.”
Adenan stressed that all his cabinet ministers and assistant ministers took the pledge seriously, adding: “It’s not ‘play play’, you know what I mean.”
Meanwhile, Low said the integrity pledge signing by the state ministers and assistant ministers showed the strong political will and commitment of the state leadership.
“The pledge is a serious thing. It is like a promise to the public that this is the direction that we will go.”
Low confirmed that Sarawak was the only state where all the state cabinet ministers signed the declaration, adding that he would push the other states to follow this good example.