Abang Johari (front, centre), flanked by Uggah on his left and Talib, makes his way to the hall. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Integrity and knowledge both take a high place in the state’s civil service because one cannot work well without the other.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, in making this call, views adapting to the changing environment and steering clear from corrupt practices for the benefit of mankind as being very important.
“If we have integrity but do not possess the knowledge, this is weak because even if we are good, with no knowledge we cannot develop ourselves and society.
“However, if we have knowledge but (are) without integrity, this is dangerous because such knowledge can be misused,” he said in delivering his Integrity Keynote Address 2017 at a hotel here yesterday.
Abang Johari said his cabinet had taken an oath to uphold integrity and practise good governance, adding that it would be his hope for the entire civil service to follow suit.
“I need the whole machinery to be right behind them (state cabinet), even the whole civil service, to serve well so that you can reach out to the target group.”
He was of the opinion that Sarawakians are people of high level of integrity, calling upon them to ‘let it (upholding integrity) be our culture’.
“Every year, we have audit reports and every time, Sarawak receives a healthy certificate. I congratulate the civil service and Sarawak for that.
“Integrity is a question of accountability – if we have accountability, we can live in peace and harmony.”
In this regard, Abang Johari said there is a universal value in all religions that refers to individuals having high sense of accountability.
Sharing his belief, the chief minister said every Muslim is always accompanied by two angels – one on the right and the other on the left – who would ‘record everything we do’.
“We, the Muslims, believe that we would be questioned when we’re done with this life,” he said, noting that humans have the tendency to stay in their comfort zone; thereby forgetting the need to advance gradually.
He said they should constantly place themselves in challenging environments where they could produce new ideas and attempt to tackle problems towards finding solutions.
“Human beings are also challenged by their own desires – all the time.
“I feel that more disappointments would follow if you give in to your desires without taking your own capability and affordability into account.
“The moment you comply with the rules and regulations, you save time and money. With such ‘savings’, we can achieve more and the state can move forward.”
Meanhile, Abang Johari called upon all Sarawakians to take a positive view on the development of digital economy, reminding them that while technology could serve as a platform for them to move way forward, they should never abuse it.
“If you use a knife to prepare food, you’d handle the knife well. But if you use the knife for any bad intention, you’d abuse the very function of the knife.
“The same theory applies to technology – information and knowledge can reach the target group efficiently if properly adopted. But if you abuse technology, it would hurt the target group and the people,” he stressed.
The session was attended by Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Deputy chief ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani and State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar.