KUALA LUMPUR: Ongoing efforts to eradicate corruption within the civil service are crucial to safeguarding public trust, strengthening governance and ensuring that public resources are used solely for the benefit of the people.
Malaysian Integrity Institute member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said that to achieve this effectively, a comprehensive and sustained approach is required, including strong political will, independent and empowered enforcement agencies and the consistent application of the law without fear or favour.
“Transparency in decision-making, open access to information and robust internal controls must become standard practice across all departments,” he said in a statement today.
Lee also highlighted the importance of cultivating a culture of integrity within the civil service through continuous ethics training, clear codes of conduct, protection for whistleblowers and leadership by example.
“Officers who uphold integrity must be recognised and protected, while those who abuse their positions must face swift and proportionate consequences,” he added.
Emphasising that public participation also plays a crucial role, Lee said civil society, the media and citizens must be empowered to act as partners in accountability, ensuring that corruption is exposed and addressed, not normalised or ignored.
“The fight against corruption requires persistence, courage and collective responsibility. By remaining firm in our commitment to integrity and good governance, we can build a civil service that truly serves the public interest and earns the respect and trust of the nation,” he said.
Lee said corruption in the civil service is not a victimless act as it erodes confidence in public institutions, undermines the rule of law, distorts decision-making and deprives citizens, especially the most vulnerable, of fair access to services.
He said eradicating corruption is not merely a legal or administrative exercise but a moral imperative, as a clean and professional civil service is essential for effective policy implementation, economic stability, investor confidence and social cohesion. – BERNAMA
