MIRI, Nov 11: It is high time for local councils to plan and introduce an anti-bribery management system to ensure a good standard of governance at all levels of operation.
Deputy Minister Dr Sim Kui Hian said that as part of the Sarawak government’s machinery, local councils must have a high standard to maintain and enhance the public’s confidence and trust in the public service.
“We still need to ensure anti-corruption measures are in place so that there is transparency and accountability in order to counter any form of leakages that can jeopardise our efforts.
“We must fight corruption in the same way we are combating against the Covid-19 pandemic to enable us to recover with integrity and move forward in harmony,” he said in his text-of-speech when officiating at the Miri City Council’s (MCC) Integrity Months celebration today.
Dr Sim, who is also the Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, stressed that the Sarawak government is serious about upholding good values and integrity as it is vital to maintain good governance for better and efficient delivery in the government service.
“Now, each local council has one integrity officer. My Ministry and together with the State Integrity and Ombudsman Unit (Union) in the Premier’s Department has also chosen few councils such as Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), Limbang District Council (LDC) and Matu-Daro District Council (MDDC) to participate in the Community Integrity Building (CIB) pilot programme developed by Institute of Integrity Malaysia,” he explained.
He added that the CIB programme is a social accountability approach that emphasises on participatory development, community engagement and advocacy to create a high integrity culture in governance.
“This programme could be extended in other local councils including MCC. This showed that the Ministry is really serious in looking after our integrity not only at council level but also among the community,” he said.
Dr Sim commended MCC for its clean certificate of financial statement yearly with assessment rates collection of above 80 per cent.
“This means Miri people put trust in MCC in delivering council services, timely implementation of all projects for the people and financial management.
“Despite the Covid-19 disruptions, MCC demonstrated their seriousness in inculcating integrity since the beginning of 2020. Well done,” he said in congratulating MCC.
Reminding councils to spend prudently as the public fund is subjected to be audited, Dr Sim hopes MCC will continue to take good measures in managing its finances with budget for the short and long term goals.
Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development Dr Ripin Lamat, MCC Mayor Adam Yii and permanent secretary to the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datu Antonio Kahti Galis were present. — DayakDaily
