DEPUTY Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wants departments and agencies under the Home Ministry to sign the Corruption-Free Pledge to prevent involvement in corruption and abuse of power when carrying out their tasks.
Zahid, who is also home minister, said the implementation of the pledge by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) showed a commitment to duty and a desire to work in a corruption-free environment, in shouldering the responsibilities entrusted to them by the people.
He said the implementation of the pledge could counter negative public perception of the government.
“The Home Ministry is very sensitive to this as we deal directly with the public. The Royal Malaysian Police, for instance, which are at the front line in maintaining security, are surely exposed to the solicitation or offering of bribes.
“Corruption occurs in the public and private sectors when wanting to speed up a process, avoid penalties or heavy fines, or have something approved.
“If we want our country to be truly developed, rejecting and combating corruption must be made a culture among public servants,” he said at the ministry’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya today.
While Zahid did not set a time frame for the ministry’s 10 departments and agencies to sign the pledge, he congratulated the police force for doing so yesterday, and ordered the Immigration Department to follow suit.
In April, the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) became the first agency under the Home Ministry to sign the pledge.
“This is no gimmick or rhetoric. It is a commitment, which involves endorsing the pledge in our hearts and minds,” said Zahid.
“We need to promote a culture of rejecting corruption, to remove the (negative) perception, and we want all parties, including myself, to fully commit and endorse the fact that corruption must be wiped out.”
He urged ministry secretary-general Alwi Ibrahim to make the signing of the pledge compulsory for everyone in the 10 departments and agencies.
He said before MACC approached police with the pledge, the latter had made efforts internally, such as setting up the Integrity and Standards Compliance Department, to raise the standard of the force’s integrity and reinstate public confidence in the institution.
“God willing, all ministries, departments and agencies will eventually become corruption-free.
“The government is firm about taking action as we want to give the best services without payments being made outside the counter or under the table.
“It’s difficult to do this, but not impossible if we are committed to freeing the country of corruption.”
Zahid called on organisations and political parties with the goal of eradicating corruption to not point the finger only at the government.
“We need to set aside our political differences as the issue of corruption is a joint concern. We should use our differences to fight corruption.
“(We should not) make accusations or avoid signing the pledge. This (combating corruption) is a joint responsibility.”
At the assembly, Zahid handed out the Security Protection Special Award 2016 certificate of excellence to the Sarawak National Registration Department and RM10,000 mock cheques to representatives of 11 residents’ associations in Selangor and Putrajaya as a grant to create safe and harmonious neighbourhoods. – Bernama, July 25, 2017.