KUCHING: St John Ambulance Sarawak celebrated its 46th and the second anniversary of its restoration at Dewan Masyarakat here on Saturday.
Speaking at the ceremony St John Ambulance Sarawak Commander and founder Datuk Seri Ang Lai Soon said St. John Ambulance Sarawak is one
of the original four districts or territories in Malaysia. The following is an excerpt from his speech:
“St John Ambulance Sarawak is about moulding its officers and members – in particular, Sarawak’s future generation – to become worthy law-abiding citizens imbued with such eternal values as selfless service, tenacious discipline and most of all, impeccable integrity.
“I recall our newly appointed SJAS president and Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Johari bin Tun Openg, talking in July about how a society without integrity was doomed to failure.
He said: “Integrity is a quality of excellence that is manifested in a holistic and integral manner in individuals and organisations.”
In order for any NGO to have integrity imbued in it, it is essential that all its members must be in possession of the same purpose and objectives. It is of vital importance that such integrity becomes second nature for both ordinary members as well as those in leadership positions. If anything, it is even more incumbent upon leaders of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to show and be known to be individuals of utmost integrity.
There is, after all, an ancient proverb that “a fish rots first from the head down”. Any rot in any voluntary NGO is also the same. It will start rotting, if those who are supposed to lead are known to be of dubious character. Eventual doom to the NGO naturally follows from then onwards. If we love our organisation, our society, we must all be on guard and be eternally vigilant to prevent such rot.
Our SJAS president has expressed this very well and again I want to quote what he said: “An organisation, …could either prosper and achieve fame; or be reduced to bankruptcy and disrepute – because of governance.”
“Governance is usually talked about in reference to a state but equally refers to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including St. John Ambulance, The Cheshire Home, and so on. My most important duty as your Commander is to ensure that St John Ambulance Sarawak is always noted for its integrity and good governance. This is not as easy as it seems to maintain the level of personal and individual integrity that being a member of SJAS demands. There are always temptations to take the easy and immediately rewarding, but unrighteous path. Such temptations in life naturally give rise to serious questions about morality and governance issues, and all too easily destroy the integrity of an NGO. There are no exceptions. Even if only one person in an NGO succumbs to temptation, that can and does destroy the reputation of that NGO. And cause the decline of that organisation. Take note, all we need is to have just one such person to destroy a NGO’s integrity. We must be vigilant to ensure the practice of integrity and governance within the shores of our beloved Sarawak at all times. Let us shine out to all as to what SJAS can do and will stand for. It is for this very reason that we have been most adamant about doing things correctly and properly – which is, after all, the very essence of integrity and governance – in St John Ambulance Sarawak and the Sarawak Cheshire Home. St John Ambulance Sarawak will continue to strive to upkeep its best traditions and noble values, so you can all remain forever proud to wear its uniform as its members.”