KUCHING, Aug 25: Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman has strongly rebuked Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii’s latest statement, where the latter called for a check and balance system to be put in place in the running of government-linked companies (GLCs).
Fazzrudin stressed that Sarawak was one of the earliest states in Malaysia to put in place policies to curb corruption and malpractices to ensure good governance in working in the interest of the people.
He was responding to a statement made by the Democratic Action Party (DAP) MP who viewed that reforms would need to be implemented in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), including establishing more select committees, to scrutinise and prevent any risk of abuse of State funds.
“I wish to reiterate that the Sarawak government is serious in tackling corruption and strongly opposes malpractices in governance and we have a strong foundation with clear objectives in addressing the issue,” he said in a statement today.
Fazzrudin, who is also the chief political secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, pointed out that a number of initiatives have been implemented to make Sarawak one step ahead compared with other states in Malaysia in good governance practices, by establishing the Ombudsman (Unit) as a check-and-balance mechanism, to ensure that public interest would be safeguarded.
He also reminded Dr Yii that the Sarawak government was the first to sign an integrity pledge in Malaysia back in 2015 ahead of other states.
“This pledge has been renewed since. This shows the government’s concern on the issue and its commitment to nip malpractices in the bud.
“We were also the first to create the Integrity and Ombudsman portfolio on May 7, 2017 under the then-Chief Minister’s Department, before the Unit of Integrity and Ombudsman (UNION) was set up in 2018,” he said.
Furthermore, Fazzrudin added that the Sarawak government has also appointed a number of Certified Integrity Officers (CeIO) who are placed at various departments and agencies throughout the State.
“All these are concerted efforts by the State government to ensure good governance and uphold integrity to the highest.
“It is therefore perplexing for the Bandar Kuching MP to insinuate that reforms are needed to protect our institutions from being abused and also to somewhat suggest that there are no institutional safeguards in place to prevent abuse from occurring,” he asserted.
Under the leadership of Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg through the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, Fazzrudin emphasised that the Sarawak government aims to transform the economy through a number of initiatives and development projects in the State.
“It is of utmost importance that these are implemented smoothly and swiftly – without leakages – for the benefit of all Sarawakians,” he said.
Dr Yii has yesterday (Aug 24) emphasised that a robust check and balance system is necessary in the running of government-linked companies (GLCs) that manage billions of ringgit in Sarawak to prevent another incident such as the 1MDB scandal.
He said Sarawakians must learn from the recent conviction and imprisonment of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. — DayakDaily
