KUCHING: Anyone who has information or strong suspicion of corruption or power abuse by any state representatives can call Datuk Talib Zulpilip (pic). The Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) is serious about wanting to help wipe out corruption, if there is any evidence or at least some concrete information. S o m u c h s o h e has shared his cell phone number with journalists for them to have it published in the media. “Call me on my cellphone (012- 8983366),” he said.
“If some one complains, I will investigate with SPRM. To date, only odd posts on Facebook (on alleged misappropriation in project implementation),” he added. Talib was met by journalists after launching the Premier Walkabout Programme held in conjunction with the World Anti Corruption Day 2018 at the SPRM Sarawak headquarters here yesterday.
Insisting that state assemblymen of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) were people of integrity, he said as far as government development projects were concerned, all GPS state assemblymen were free from any form of corruption. He said there was no questioning the assemblyman’s integrity because no official complaints were ever lodged with his ministry or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
He described as unfair those “wild accusations thrown on Facebook” against GPS leaders, which were clearly aimed at undermining their reputation and painting a bad image of the government. “For example, there are parties and individuals accusing a few of the assemblymen of misappropriating the RM5 million allocation given by the state government to each of them for the Rural Transformation Project (RTP).
“But this is unlikely, as the money is channelled through the Resident’s Office and the development projects implemented are also monitored by the office. “There is no way the assemblymen could misappropriate funds from government development projects because the tenders are open and go through a draw. “We will monitor and make sure misappropriation of funds in state government development projects will not happen,” he added.
On the rhythmic fountain project in front of the State Assembly Building, Talib said the Audit Department had investigated the matter. He said the issue of the fountain was a perfect example of attempts to discredit the state government. Earlier, he urged the MACC to cooperate in preventing corruption as well as inculcating the culture of integrity among the people.
He said the state government was ready to render its fullest support to the MACC in its commitment to make Sarawak corruption-free. “GPS does not condone power abuse. We will not give space to corruption,” he added.
