KUCHING: The Organisational Anti-Corruption Plan (OACP) is a template and guideline in combating corruption among civil servants, however, the cooperation of people of integrity is also needed.
In saying this, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip commended the efforts made by the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development (Manred) towards upholding integrity.
“With the establishment of an Integrity Unity, holding of Integrity Day and appointing Certified Integrity Officers (CeIOs), this will strengthen the culture of integrity.
“In carrying out our duties, use the CeIOs’ expertise and training to ensure compliance with laws, regulations and procedures,” he said when officiating at the launch of Manred’s OACP Book at Imperial Hotel here today.
He said Manred’s OACP Book could be used as a guideline and catalyst in cultivating the culture of integrity among civil servants within the ministry as well as agencies under it, emphasising that the enforcement aspect would have to be strong as well.
Citing the corruption arrest statistics in Malaysia by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) last year, Talib noted that of the 998 arrests made, 47 percent consisted of civil servants.
“In a report by ‘Transparency International: The Global Coalition Against Corruption’, Malaysia’s position in the global Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for last year dropped to 57 compared to 51 in 2019.
“We should not be proud of this — we know the impact. We cannot afford or tolerate this. We have to fight,” he said.
Talib said in order to achieve the nation’s development goals, the public sector must be led by civil servants of high integrity.
“People of high integrity have noble values, transparency, efficiency, accountability and ethics,” he said.
He stressed that corruption could ruin the function of an organisation, adding that if the issue became more rampant, the country’s administration and development would be adversely impacted.
Talib added that corruption could also tarnish the image of a country in the eyes of the global community — “Investors will not come, and people will not respect us.”
As such, he stressed that upholding integrity and fighting corruption are a collective responsibility.
Also present at the launching ceremony were Manred Assistant Minister Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Manred permanent secretary Edwin Abit, Integrity and Ombudsman Unit (Union) director Adana Jed, and other representatives.
