State government receives federal praises on having Integrity and Ombudsman functions in a ministerial portfolio under CMO
Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuang
KUCHING: The state government has been lauded on the creation of the Integrity and Ombudsman functions in a ministerial portfolio under the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuang, who is in charge of governance and integrity, sees it as ‘one of the most significant steps’ taken by Sarawak.
Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg announced the portfolio of Minister in Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) at the closing of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) special convention here on May 6 this year. The minister-in-charge is Datuk Talib Zulpilip – previously the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Development and Assistant Minister for Urbanisation.
“I think this is very important, especially putting Datuk Talib Zulpilip in charge, because you cannot put in the changes unless there’s a strong political will.
“I welcome what the Sarawak government has done – it has laid a good foundation for better things to come,” he told reporters here after attending the ‘Conference on Governance Culture – What’s Possible’ at Waterfront Hotel yesterday.
Adding on, Low assured Talib that the federal side would work together with him (Talib) and his staff in putting in place the requirements for all measures of transformation.
“Together with Talib and his staff, we hope to make Sarawak one of – if not the top among – the states in areas under government integrity. It is touted that Sarawak is the first state government in Malaysia to set up an ombudsman service.
According to Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, an ‘ombudsman’ refers to an official whose duty is to examine and report on complaints made by the common folk about companies, the government or public authorities.
Meanwhile, Low believed that certain technology might need to be brought into Sarawak to facilitate the rural folk in getting access to Talib’s ministry.
Low said in view of Sarawak being a ‘big state’, it might be challenging for the ministry to know and identify each and every issue.
“I do hope that we could bring in certain technology – mobile apps, for example – to Sarawak (for Talib’s ministry).
“This technology is for the Sarawakians to use in giving feedback to the ministry and agencies under it on a number of issues, especially those related to the delivery of public service, as well as infrastructure and development.
“I think these are some of the measures that we can work together in assisting our counterparts in Sarawak,” he said.