By Amanda L
KUCHING, Aug 12: Universiti Teknologi MARA 2 emerged champion of the Sarawak Premier Integrity Debate Competition, held on Aug 10 and 11, with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) 2 taking second place and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) finishing third.
The competition gave students an opportunity to explore integrity and ethical issues while sharpening their ability to formulate and defend arguments.
The emphasis on nurturing these values from an early age is also extending into schools through the School Integrity Friends Club (KRIS), an initiative supported by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“I fully support the initiative implemented by Sarawak Integrity and Ombudsman Unit (UNIONS) in establishing KRIS, for which I understand that the KRIS module has been developed.
“This is an important step in introducing integrity values in a more structured manner to the younger generation,” he said in his speech at the Sarawak Integrity Day 2026 celebration at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
Through KRIS, schools have a dedicated platform to introduce integrity in a way that is relevant to younger students, while programmes such as the debate competition give them opportunities to examine ethical questions through discussion, argument and critical thinking.
Taken together, such initiatives reflect a broader effort to make integrity part of young people’s everyday development, rather than treating it solely as a matter for workplaces or public administration.
For the Premier, that process needs to start early, with education playing a key role in shaping how the next generation understands responsibility, accountability and ethical conduct. — DayakDaily
