KUCHING: The Sarawak Ombudsman has received 67 complaints after undergoing a screening and filtration process.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman), Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya, said the complaints varied in nature, with some involving criminal elements, corruption and matters outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.
“Some complaints are merely allegations without proof, but we still take note of them. Some complaints involve criminal matters, so we immediately refer them to the police.
“Some clearly involve corruption, so we forward them directly to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC),” he told reporters on today (May 15).
Juanda stressed that the Ombudsman currently focuses on maladministration involving Sarawak Government agencies, local authorities, statutory bodies, government-linked companies (GLCs), and agencies whose staff are paid by the Sarawak Government.
He also assured the public that all complaints submitted to the Ombudsman would be treated as highly confidential.
“In Sarawak, whatever government agencies do, if maladministration occurs, the Ombudsman will investigate. People can send letters to the office, and those letters will be treated as highly confidential. So, there is no need to fear or worry,” he said.
Juanda said complaints can also be submitted via email to the Ombudsman office or directly to him.
He said the Ombudsman’s website, launched last year, has already recorded 800,000 visits.
“A dedicated Ombudsman complaint application is currently being developed together with Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS),” he said.
At the moment, Juanda also revealed that Sarawak’s Ombudsman initiative has attracted international attention, with representatives and ambassadors from countries that have Ombudsman institutions frequently visiting the Sarawak Ombudsman office.
