By Geryl Ogilvy
KUCHING, May 15: The Sarawak government fully supports and awaits the approved National Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Centre (GIACC) format before submitting the asset declaration of their elected representatives.
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) parliamentary whip Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said Sarawak was already strengthening efforts to fight corruption when it became the first state government in the country to sign the Corruption-Free Pledge, or better known as (IBR), with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in January 2017.
The state highly welcomed the move by the GIACC, which proposed five key performance indicators (KPIs) that include the asset declaration initiative announced by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“GIACC has called for all ministers, deputy ministers and administrative personnel of ministries to declare their assets to the MACC, which was also extended to all Members of Parliament (MPs), including opposition lawmakers.
“Sarawak was already heading towards such initiative that is already recognised by the MACC when all Sarawak Cabinet members become the first state Cabinet to sign the IRB.
“In fact, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had instructed all GPS MPs to declare their assets. Now, the state government is waiting for the format set by GIACC and MACC so that all asset declaration submitted to the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Office, including GPS MPs, can be sent together,” he said in a statement today.
On a personal note, the Petra Jaya MP gave the reminder that corruption is an issue that should not be taken lightly.
When appointed Works Minister in 2013, Fadillah said the first thing he did to combat graft was sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards eradicating corruption with the anti-graft body.
The MoU between the Works Ministry and MACC was signed on July 1, 2013, which made the ministry the first in the country to sign an ‘Integrity Pact’ with MACC, he pointed out.
“This goes to show that we, in GPS, are serious in combating corruption and abuse of power and supporting all efforts towards eradicating it at the roots,” he assured.
Dr Mahathir announced that all MPs, including opposition lawmakers, must declare their assets in the Lower House of Parliament after chairing the 8th Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption (JKKMAR) in Putrajaya yesterday (May 14).
The other proposed KPIs for ministers included the execution of the gift policy as well as rolling out anti-corruption plans at their respective organisations.
This included holding meetings on strengthening governance, integrity and anti-corruption at ministerial level as well as to boost transparency on public procurement and reduce risk of corruption. — DayakDaily
