KUCHING: Family integrity is one of the core aspects emphasised in cultivating integrity in Sarawak, says Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip.
“In a family, parents are the closest examples to children. Examples shown by parents in the form of everyday behaviour will be observed by the child and then followed by the next generation.
“Thus, the role of mothers and fathers in instilling good values in children is very significant.”
At the same time, he said children also played a role in inculcating good values and integrity among family members.
“The children of today who have the opportunity to seek higher education or work in the city will bring a change in mindset to their parents. This shows that all members in the family institution play an equally important role.”
He said this when officiating at the Family Integrity Webinar 2021 held virtually via Zoom on Tuesday (Oct 12), organised by the State Ombudsman and Integrity Unit (Union), Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development (KWKPK), and Sarawak Women and Family Department (JWKS).
In a broader context, Talib said the family institution was the foundation of society. He added that the involvement of the family institution in the movement to strengthen integrity would create a society with integrity in the long run.
“I believe that the higher the level of integrity, the lower the corrupt practices, and thus the country will be developed.”
Therefore, he said the family institution played an important role in producing individuals with high self-esteem and integrity, further contributing towards Sarawak as a developed state with high integrity by 2030.
Noting that the theme of the webinar was ‘Integrity as the Core of Family Wellbeing’, he expressed his belief that integrity would produce and maintain a prosperous family.
He hoped the people of Sarawak would continue to uphold integrity in all circumstances, including in the family institution.
“Under the leadership, guidance, and strong support of our chief minister, efforts to cultivate integrity at all layers of the society can be carried out more vigorously throughout Sarawak.”
Talib pointed out that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had clearly outlined the direction of a comprehensive integrity cultivation movement during Majlis Amanat Perdana Integriti (MAPI).
He also noted that the state government had established integrity units in ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure that civil servants practised a work culture ingrained with strong moral and ethical characteristics.
“The state government will continue to intensify efforts to cultivate integrity at various levels of the society. It is hoped that all these measures will curb misconduct, crime, and violations of the code of conduct and ethics of organisations.”
He said one of the main functions of Union was to manage complaints, explaining that this involved receiving and investigating complaints and suggestions from the public relating to the services of government agencies and departments.
“Through Ombudsman, the state government has in fact opened up a wide space for the general public to provide constructive views on the quality of the state’s public service delivery. This platform should be fully utilised by the public by channelling complaints to Union.”
Talib thus called on everyone to play their respective roles objectively, constructively, and professionally in order to improve the quality of public services.
