Sarawak to set up integrity units at all sectors of governance to stamp out corruption, abuse of power
Abang Johari (seated centre) together with (seated from left) Dr Rundi, Awang Tengah, Talib, Masing, Manyin and Abdul Karim giving the thumbs up during a group photo session with assistant ministers, heads of government departments and agencies and civil servants at the launch of Mapi. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The Sarawak government is setting up integrity units led by Certified Integrity Officers (CeIO) at all its ministries, government departments and statutory bodies.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak is the first state in the country to take such initiative as part of its commitment to raise the level of integrity among civil servants.
“In view of this, we are launching the CeIO course today (Monday) to train 40 state civil servants including those from state statutory bodies who will then be placed at the respective Integrity Units.
“Apart from that, starting today (Monday) a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer will also be placed at the State Integrity and Ombudsman Unit to assist us in cultivating integrity, improving accountability, transparency and governance in the administration and state statutory bodies,” he said when officiating at the ‘Majlis Amanat Perdana Integrity 2019’ (Mapi) at Penview Convention Centre here yesterday.
Abang Johari urged all state government agencies to identify their respective corruption risks and provide a plan to manage graft.
“Based on our observation and from the feedback we received, almost all of the programmes and training sessions we organised involved senior staff or management and professional groups.
“I think that in order to increase integrity and fight corruption, I want the support groups to also be included by providing them with appropriate courses.”
He hoped that all organisations will have sufficient trained personnel to be placed under the Integrity Unit at all agencies.
“The Integrity Units will be led by the CeIOs who will report directly to the Integrity and Ombudsman Unit,” he said.
Abang Johari (fourth left) together with (from left) Manyin, Awang Tengah, Shukri, Talib, Masing, Dr Rundi, Abdul Karim and Morshidi pose for a group photo with winners of the integrity competitions. — Photo by Chimon Upon
Earlier in his speech, Abang Johari admitted that it is impossible to completely eliminate corruption and abuse of power.
But he gave his assurance that he would ensure that the state government will set integrity and anti-corruption as its priority.
“Since 2017, the government has been working diligently in the pursuit of enhancing integrity.
“Part of our efforts included setting up the Integrity and Ombudsman Unit to educate, nurture pure values in life and to encourage people to practise integrity in their lives.”
Mapi, which was organised by the State Integrity and Ombudsman Unit in collaboration with MACC, featured three talks on integrity which were presented by MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull, Malaysia Anti Corruption Foundation president Datuk Seri Zakaria Jaffar and Transparency International Malaysia president Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar.
Apart from that, Abang Johari also presented prizes to winners of the Integrity Essay Writing Competition for secondary schools and higher learning institutions as well as Integrity Short Video Competition.
Also present were deputy chief ministers Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Utilities Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Education, Science
and Technological Research Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong; Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani.