By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 3: Sarawak has become the first State in the world to establish a direct partnership with the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA), based in Austria, to enhance integrity management capacity in the public administration sector.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Dato Dr Juanda Jaya said the collaboration would pave the way for training programmes, research, and international expertise-sharing to strengthen integrity systems and corruption prevention efforts in Sarawak.
“Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has emphasised that Sarawak constantly seeks to enhance programmes related to integrity, the ombudsman and corruption prevention to ensure that its administrative and management systems meet international standards,” he said after a courtesy visit from an IACA delegation led by its Dean, Drago Kos, to Abang Johari at the Satria Pertiwi Complex here today, as reported by TVS.
Juanda said the collaboration would also involve the Sarawak Integrity and Ombudsman Unit (Unions) and the Sarawak Centre of Performance Excellence (Scope) in supporting the aspirations of the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 to transform Sarawak into an advanced state with high integrity standards.
Meanwhile, IACA Dean Drago Kos said the Vienna-based academy had 15 years of experience in research, postgraduate education and technical assistance related to corruption prevention.
He described Sarawak’s integrity system, particularly the appointment of Integrity Officers in public institutions, as a unique approach with the potential to serve as a reference model for other countries and regions.
“We see Sarawak as a model that other countries and regions around the world can emulate. What has been developed here is unique, and we are pleased to assist in its further development,” he said.
Separately, Malaysian Association of Anti-Bribery Management System Practitioners adviser Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed said the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Sarawak and IACA marked a historic milestone, making Sarawak the first State in the world to collaborate directly with the academy to strengthen its integrity management capabilities.
He said a four-day training programme, which began yesterday (Nov 2), brought together international experts to share their experiences and expertise, including introducing Chief Integrity Officers (CEIOs) to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in integrity management.
According to him, using AI in integrity management is among the emerging approaches aligned with current international developments and has the potential to improve the effectiveness of integrity-related functions. — DayakDaily
