KUCHING, Nov 1: A strong culture of integrity is conducive to better decision-making by employees for the long-term interests of the organisation, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He added a strong culture of integrity would create an environment of trust among employees which is vital for teamwork, and minimising costly mistakes, disputes and delays.
Abang Johari said that would make good business sense which is vital for the organisation to thrive.
“The Sarawak civil service is vigorously undergoing a journey of digital transformation towards a world-class government administration.
“The objective is to change the way the government operates in order to enhance its delivery system for the benefit of the rakyat.
“To be of world class in our service, integrity and accountability is part and parcel of delivering services and executing duties.
“Our delivery system, if it is to be world class, cannot go without the element of transparency and good governance,” he said in conjunction with the launching of Sarawak Forestry Corporation’s (SFC) inaugural Integrity Day at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
Abang Johari’s text-of-speech was read out by Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh.
Abang Johari said the public sector is often perceived as very susceptible to corruption, particularly in developing countries.
Hence, he added the fight against corruption should not be taken lightly.
He added corruption in the public sector is a disease that would destroy the economy of a country if not checked.
Abang Johari also said he has introduced several measures to ensure that the State’s administration is efficient, clean and transparent. He cited the training of officers under the Certified Integrity Officers (CeIO) programme and their placement in relevant departments and agencies as an example of the Sarawak government’s initiative towards ensuring a clean administration.
Abang Johari also said there were other measures currently being implemented by the State Integrity and Ombudsman Unit (Union) in order to enhance check-and-balance mechanisms at all levels of government, law enforcement and policy implementation in order to establish a healthy and thriving environment.
Apart from that, Abang Johari said the State government has formed the Anti-Corruption Committee (JAR) at the ministry, division, and department levels to enable specific issues related to integrity and prevention of corruption in a ministry to be addressed immediately, in line with the State’s administration aim to enhance good governance and fight against corruption in a comprehensive manner.
He noted all these are enormous and essential reforms to ensure that Sarawak is a developed State with highest standard of good governance and integrity by 2030.
Meanwhile, SFC chief executive officer (CEO) and Controller of Wildlife Zolkipli Mohamad Aton said the corporation is committed to applying the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct in all its business activities and operations.
He said SFC has produced its Organisational Anti-Corruption Plan (OACP) 2021-2025 apart from organising integrity-related programme.
He added its OACP is a guide to keep SFC on track to ensure high standards of integrity while performing its day-to-day operations.
“We will implement all initiatives under the OACP framework within five years and this will be monitored closely by the Certified Integrity Officer,” he said.
Among those present at SFC’s inaugural Integrity Day event were Forest Department Sarawak director Datu Hamden Mohammad, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Sarawak director Mohd Zaki Hassan, SFC staff and invited guests. — DayakDaily
