By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Aug 28: Integrity without knowledge is useless while knowledge without integrity is dangerous, emphasised Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg when calling on civil servants to uphold both values in serving Sarawak.
Delivering his keynote address at Sarawak Integrity Day 2025 at the Borneo Centre Convention Centre (BCCK) here today, Abang Johari reminded the State’s public service that integrity alone cannot sustain governance without the right knowledge, while knowledge used without integrity could bring harm to society.
“There is a saying: integrity without knowledge is useless. You may have integrity, but without knowledge, it serves no purpose. Likewise, knowledge without integrity is dangerous, as it can be misused to deceive.
“But when knowledge and integrity come together, knowledge is not abused but applied to uplift human dignity, fulfilling the trust demanded by our faiths,” he said.
He expressed gratitude that many in Sarawak’s civil service embody both knowledge and integrity, which makes governance smoother and instills trust in the administration.
“When entrusted with responsibilities, we must carry them out faithfully. For instance, when we build bridges and infrastructure, not only do people benefit from them, but we too receive spiritual rewards and blessings from Allah.
“Our work is therefore not merely about physical development, but about enabling better lives for others. That is the true reward,” he noted.
Abang Johari added that the culture of integrity should not be externally enforced but must become “automatic” in every individual, reflected in their confidence, decision-making, and responsibility towards society.
He reminded that Sarawak has established the Ombudsman as part of efforts to institutionalise accountability, while also citing Nordic countries like Sweden and Norway as examples where integrity has become ingrained in society, leading to prosperity and high standards of living.
According to a press handout, the Sarawak Integrity Day 2025 was organised by the Sarawak government through the Sarawak Integrity and Ombudsman Unit (UNIONS) in collaboration with the Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM) and the Association of Certified Integrity Officers (ACeIO), with the theme “Integrity: The Core of Sarawak’s Progress”.
The organisation of Sarawak Integrity Day 2025 serves as a platform to promote the values of integrity among civil servants and society throughout Sarawak, and as a space for the exchange of ideas and knowledge on integrity among Sarawakians in particular, and Malaysians in general.
“Integrity is the fundamental basis in realising every development plan to achieve Sarawak’s vision of becoming a developed region by 2030, as outlined in the 13th Malaysia Plan,” it said.
The event also saw the handover of the Community Leadership Integrity Module Level 3 by IIM president and chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Ahmad Ramdzan Daud to UNIONS director Wan Mohamad Wan Drahman.
The presentation of the Special Award of the Cabinet Special Committee (CABCOM) as well as the grand prize for the Premier of Sarawak Integrity Forum Competition 2025 was also held during the event, presented by the Premier of Sarawak.
Integrity and teamwork, upheld collectively as pillars of the State Civil Service, were underscored at Sarawak Integrity Day 2025 as strategic assets that set Sarawak apart as a regional benchmark in governance.
The event was attended by dignitaries and officials including Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Dato Murshid Diraja Dr Juanda Jaya, Acting State Secretary Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dato Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. — DayakDaily
