SIBU: Everyone has a responsibility to fight corruption while at the same time help to stop people from being negatively affected, said Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip.
He thus urged the people and local community leaders to report to the authorities if they come across or know of such wrongdoings, adding corruption happens when there is no integrity.
Talib said this when officiating at the ‘Integrity Programme for Community Leaders’ held at Sibu Islamic Complex here yesterday.
“For example, we heard of our timber source running out due to felling of trees. Because there is corruption, the tax is not paid or the money might end up in someone’s pockets.
“Imagine if there is no corruption, the people will get the benefits because the money from the tax can be used by the government to build houses and construct roads,” he said
Talib, who is Jepak assemblyman, said a person with high integrity is a respected person.
He later reminded the programme participants not to get involved in corruption.
He also touched on a case where corruption occurred involving overloaded lorries which had used a village road.
“There was a case whereby a ‘ketua kaum’ received RM1,200 monthly to let overloaded lorries use the road in a village under his area.
“I found that out and I wrote a letter to the district office and he was terminated from the service,” he disclosed.
Also present at the function were Sibu member of Parliament (MP) Oscar Ling, Lanang MP Alice Lau, Sibu Resident Charles Siaw and Sibu District Officer Awang Yusof Awang Mostapha.
Talib, flanked by Lau (second left) and Ling, officiates at the integrity programme.