By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, Nov 24: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) has agreed to the Sarawak government’s suggestion to train certified integrity officers for every state ministry to combat corruption.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said this was to ensure that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)-led government would be transparent and corruption free.
“What is important is that we must have a good and transparent government. Of course, the opposition will always try to perceive that we are corrupt. I have invited MACC and the Auditor-General to assist us in fighting corruption.
“Only yesterday (Nov 22), MACC has agreed with the state government that we are going to train what we call `certified integrity officers’ in all ministries of the Sarawak GPS government to make sure it is transparent and compliance to procedure.
“Once we have that, we don’t have any leakages and let the business community compete among themselves in order to get the job. No lobby for me. They cannot lobby ministers because we have certified integrity officers in all ministries. It is based on proper open competition, open tender,” he revealed at Sarawak Chambers of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) 67th anniversary dinner here on Friday.
However, Abang Johari said there would always be some people who would try to smear his administration’s reputation because they failed to get contracts or projects from the state government.
Abang Johari stressed that he doesn’t take corruption, private lobbying to ministers and shady deals lightly.
“Mind you, I take this seriously. When I became the chief minister, the first thing that I did was that all ministers pledge in front of MACC, and they complied.
“But we know very well some people cannot get it (projects), try to create stories, but I must share with you that the economy will be in shambles if corruption is there,” he warned.
He also advised the corporate sector to practice transparency and honesty when running their businesses.
“While the state government is expected to have integrity, we (state government) also expect the business people to have integrity within your own corporations. And let good governance be there, not only the government but even the corporate sector must have good governance,” he urged.
He added that the country and the state would be able to move forward easily if both sides practice transparency and good governance. — DayakDaily
