KUCHING: Detecting corruption and making sure it is not repeated is the responsibility of everyone, not just anti-graft officials and auditors, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
He said sharing such responsibility together will create an environment of transparency, ethical conduct and integrity.
“So I urge all Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) subsidiaries to have comprehensive rules and regulations, empowering corporate governance in their companies and to check bureaucracy that may hinder the implementation of policy decisions under their purview,” he said.
He said this in his speech read by Deputy Minister for Urban Planning Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh during the STIDC Corporate Governance Day 2023 on Tuesday (Aug 29).
“Good corporate governance is also essential for the development and progress of STIDC subsidiary companies, as their financial and operational performance will reflect the overall image of STIDC.
“With our subsidiary companies performing well, they will be able to pay dividends to STIDC and this is instrumental in our effort to facilitate and support the state vision to achieve the target of RM8 Billion export value from timber and timber products,” he said.
Awang Tengah pointed out that it is very important to recognise the role strong and effective leadership plays in achieving this goal in support of the ultimate strategic goal of STIDC.
“Good governance does not come easy. It requires active participation and engagement from top to bottom including all board members, management and staff.
“Furthermore, it also requires strong institutions, rule of law and an effective system of checks and balances. The Audit and Compliance Division will need to play their role in checks and balances,” he said.
“I am confident that we can achieve the desired outcomes and goals if we work together.
“I am sure that STIDC will continuously promote corporate governance throughout its entire operation,” he added.
