By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 14: Sarawak has taken a step onto the international ombudsman stage, with a pathway now open for its involvement in the Australian and New Zealand Ombudsman Association (ANZOA), following a strategic visit to Western Australia on Nov 12.
This marks the first time Sarawak’s Ombudsman Office is positioned for formal participation in the region’s top oversight network—an influential platform dominated by well-established institutions from Australia and New Zealand.
According to a press release issued by the Office, the breakthrough came when the Western Australia Ombudsman Office, the country’s pioneer ombudsman institution, confirmed its intention to recommend Sarawak as an observer in the next ANZOA meeting and to include Sarawak in its upcoming specialised complaint-handling and investigation training programmes.
“One of the key outcomes of the visit is that the Western Australia Ombudsman Office is developing a training programme and will invite the Sarawak Ombudsman Office to take part, particularly in the areas of complaints handling and improving investigation processes, to enhance efficiency and professionalism in carrying out ombudsman functions.
“The Western Australia Ombudsman Office also expressed its intention to invite the Sarawak Ombudsman Office as an observer in the upcoming Australian and New Zealand Ombudsman Association meeting.
“This will be conveyed to the ANZOA Chair, and the observer participation is expected to create opportunities for the Sarawak Ombudsman to build professional networks, exchange views and learn international best practices in the ombudsman field and public sector governance,” the Office wrote.
The commitments were delivered during a high-level meeting attended by Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya, Chief Ombudsman Dato Sri Abdul Ghafur Shariff, and the Sarawak ombudsman delegation.
The delegation was warmly received by Brianna Lonnie, Acting Deputy Ombudsman of Western Australia, along with Shosana Halberg, Acting Principal Assistant Ombudsman, and Katrina, Assistant Ombudsman of Investigations and Resolution.
Entry—even at observer level—into ANZOA is regarded as a major step for Sarawak, granting access to a regional circle that shapes the standards, ethics, and best practices of ombudsman institutions across Australia and New Zealand.
For Sarawak, which only operationalised its ombudsman function under the Sarawak Ombudsman Ordinance 2023, this development accelerates its path toward international benchmarking.
On the same day, the Sarawak delegation visited the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) of Western Australia, where Commissioner Dr John Byrne briefed them on discrimination complaint procedures, mediation standards, and inclusive employment practices.
As part of the visit, the Sarawak officers were given a walk-through of the EOC’s office setup, observing how the commission prioritises accessibility, privacy, and complainant comfort.
The layout demonstrated a deliberate emphasis on creating a safe and neutral environment for mediation, including measures to protect the wellbeing and safety of both complainants and officers during sensitive sessions.
The delegation also observed the EOC’s inclusive employment practices, where persons with disabilities are directly involved in daily operations, reflecting the commission’s commitment to upholding the same principles of equality, fairness, and inclusivity that it promotes.
“The discussion also touched on the role of the ombudsman and related institutions in strengthening governance, transparency, and accountability in public services, while exploring potential future collaborations, improving complaint-handling efficiency, and expanding awareness of the Ombudsman institution’s roles and functions,” the Office wrote in a separate statement.
The working visit forms part of Sarawak’s broader drive to raise public service governance under the Sarawak Ombudsman Ordinance 2023 and the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030. — DayakDaily
