KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has clarified that while the newly passed Sarawak Ombudsman Bill 2023 governs the civil service, other existing laws are in place to regulate ministries.
He said though ministers and deputy ministers are exempted from its provisions, evidence of any orders given by them can lead to investigations under other laws, thus they cannot escape scrutiny.
“If it is alleged that the order came from an administrator, and with sufficient evidence, they will be investigated under different laws, nobody is exempted.
“That is why the Sarawak government is not afraid. We advocate a clean government, and we don’t just talk; we walk the talk. This is the Sarawak government,” he said at the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) Integrity Day 2023 at Riverside Majestic Hotel here today.
He also highlighted that the law, recently passed by the State Legislative Assembly, provides a legal framework for monitoring government operations.
“Sarawak is the first state and government in Malaysia to enact an ombudsman law, which reflects our serious commitment to instil a culture of integrity throughout our government system.
“Although it is confined to the civil service, I must tell you that we have a very good civil service in Sarawak which is of high integrity,” he said.
He added that integrity is crucial in instilling confidence among the public, particularly for investors.
“We aim to establish the best system so that people have confidence in our governance. When people invest, they want assurance that their investments will be managed properly.
“A sustainable and effective system leads to confidence, encouraging investments that fuel economic growth, job creation and overall prosperity,” he said.
On another note, he reiterated that it is the ombudsman’s role of keeping checks and balances, ensuring that individuals are held accountable for their actions while safeguarding themselves against unwarranted accusations.
“When people think that you are involved in wrongdoing, there must be evidence proving as such. It must be evident based, and to get legitimate evidence, you have to investigate.
“Upon investigation, if one is innocent, then the individual remains clean. If not, there are penalties in place. That is the essence of the ombudsman’s role,” he added.
