KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s no nonsense stance against corruption is a red-light indicator for perpetrators of the crime in the state, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman.
He said the state government had never compromised on matters of corruption, power abuse or embezzlement, and had maintained full cooperation in the fight against it.
He said the erosion of integrity as one of the driving factors should catapult efforts to further strengthen and consolidate integrity among the people.
“Therefore, in order to ensure our country continues to progress and prosper, it is our collective responsibility, including the leaders and the people, to continue to work together and cooperate in fighting corruption, especially in the state,” he said when launching the State-level International Anti-Corruption Day (HARA) 2016 at the Sabah Federal Government Administration Complex here yesterday.
“In the context of public service, I always emphasize that aspect of integrity and accountability, and good governance should become a proactive and culture in carrying out responsibilities.
“This aspect is very important to ensure that allocations can be fully utilized by the target groups, thus strengthening the people’s confidence and trust in the government, particularly in the public sector to provide an efficient, fair and transparent service at all levels,” he emphasized.
In addition, the Chief Minister had also given directives for the systems and procedures of state departments and related agencies to be reviewed and examined accordingly.
“This is to ensure that there is no space and opportunities for corruption, abuse of power and embezzlement in times to come,” he explained.
Musa also called on the people to extend their full support and cooperation to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) by channeling information and reporting corruption, power abuse and embezzlement in Sabah.
He said this should be done with continuous intensification of anti-corruption awareness programs to curb criminal activities and syndicates that would impact the state’s safety, result in the loss of subsidized goods, and cause smuggling and drug abuse, among others.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Sabah Director Dato’ Shaharom Nizam Abdul Manap, Deputy State Secretary (Administration) Datuk Asnimar Sukardi, Sabah Deputy Federal Secretary Norali @Ag Norali Ag Damit, Kota Kinabalu City Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai, MACC Sabah Deputy Operations Director Karunanity Y Subbiah, as well as MACC Sabah Prevention Deputy Director and officiating committee chairman Hasbilah Mohamad Salleh were also at the ceremony.