By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Nov 15 — Integrity officers embedded in government agencies and departments are empowered to submit their action reports directly to the relevant authorities, bypassing department heads if necessary.
Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said this is in line with the Federal government’s Service Circular No. 6 of 2013, which pertains to the establishment of Integrity Units (UI) in public agencies to manage integrity issues.
Under this directive, he explained that integrity officers are required to not only report to the chief secretary of their respective ministries and department heads, but also the Integrity Management Division of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) every four months.
Amirudin said this allows a more transparent account of integrity issues to be reported to the higher authorities, especially those involving problematic heads of department.
“If integrity officers face difficulties in submitting reports to their department heads, they have alternative avenues,” he told the Selangor State Assembly today.
“They can direct their reports to the chief secretary of the state or ministry, as well as to the heads of the integrity management division of state agencies like Selangor Menteri Besar (Incorporated), and even to the MACC.
“So, it is not just one agency where they can submit their reports to ensure they would not be ignored,” he said in the state assembly today.
Amirudin was responding to questions by Sungai Ramal assemblymen Shafie Ngah on the efforts taken by the state to combat corruption in the civil service.
Meanwhile, the Menteri Besar also acknowledged peer pressure as one of the factors why some civil servants engage in corrupt practices.
“I understand that peer pressure is among the reasons, especially if it is applied by those who have already participated in such practices,” he said, adding that such groups already have their own network and way of doing things.
