Awang Tengah and Talib (6th and 5th left in front row respectively) join the attendees in giving their approval to the integrity pledge.

LAWAS: The Sarawak state government will remain firm in upholding integrity through the empowerment of integrity programmes with the Integrity Unit of the Chief Minister’s Office.

In fact, Sarawak is the first state in the country where State Cabinet ministers and its civil service took the integrity pledge which was spearheaded by the previous chief minister, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan when officiating at the opening ceremony of an integrity programme – Community Leaders Series 6/2018 – at the Seri Malaysia Hotel Lawas yesterday.

He said the establishment of the Integrity and Ombudsman Unit on May 7, 2017 by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is testimony of Sarawak’s seriousness in upholding transparency and integrity in its administration.

“Integrity is inherent in our upbringing and a fundamental, universal and religious value, where we are taught to be honest and trustworthy in discharging our duties and responsibilities,” said Awang Tengah, who is also the Second Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources and  Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development.

The establishment of the Integrity and Ombudsman Unit in the Chief Minister’s Office is to plan, implement and monitor programmes involving all sectors to enhance the level of public integrity.

Integrity in the civil service is not confined to issues of corruption, compliance with systems and procedures, financial procedures and disciplinary issues but also covers all aspects of work culture.

“We want all departments to work with integrity, without any abuse and misuse of power and this should also be applied by all community leaders,” Awang Tengah stressed.

“Now it’s time for us to think more seriously how integrity and good practices can be extended to every individual and community, from organisations to villages and home, especially among the youth,” he said.

Besides that, integrity can also enhance public service delivery, he added.

“Such actions can help reduce bureaucratic red tape when people deal with the department,” he said.

Awang Tengah warned against negative actions and attitudes by a few civil servants, smearing the good name and image of the entire civil service in the country.

“The public have the right to reprimand civil servants who provide poor service,” he added.

Also present were Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talip Zulpilip, Limbang Resident Ahmad Denney Ahmad Fauzi, Integrity and Ombudsman Unit director Adana Jed and Lawas district officer Ladin Atok.