KOTA SAMARAHAN: Strengthening integrity and public trust remains a cornerstone of Sarawak’s development agenda, said Minister for Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Speaking at the Community-Based Integrity Development Awareness Programme (CIB), he said the programme was more than an awareness initiative, serving instead as a clear signal of Sarawak’s determination to progress in a principled and accountable manner.
“Today is not merely about a programme. It is a signal that Sarawak does not only want to move forward, but to do so the right way, not just appearing good on the outside, but strong from within and trusted by the people,” he was quoted as saying in an UKAS report when officiating at the event held here on Sunday.
He stressed that integrity must not be seasonal or dependent solely on monitoring, but should be embedded as a culture within the administrative system and everyday life of society.
“Integrity is not about cameras, audits or media attention. True integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching,” he said.
Abdul Karim, who is also Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, explained that integrity goes beyond corruption-related issues, encompassing efficiency in addressing public complaints, adherence to project specifications, prudent use of authority and the ability to fulfil commitments made to the people.
“The public can accept bitter truths, but they find it hard to accept silence that leads nowhere. That is why integrity must be reflected through action and solutions, not merely statements,” he added.
He also highlighted the importance of a co-monitoring approach, which forms the core of the CIB Programme, where communities are positioned as strategic partners to local authorities, agencies and implementing bodies.
“If everyone works in isolation, issues become prolonged. If everyone works together, issues are resolved faster. In today’s system, we want issues to be short, not the people to be exhausted,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister in thePremier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya described the CIB Programme as a comprehensive social reform effort aligned with Sarawak’s aspiration to build more responsive and integrity-driven governance.
“Integrity is not a slogan or a banner decoration. It is a living culture reflected in daily decisions, in how we carry out our responsibilities and in the courage to openly correct weaknesses,” he said.
He added that public complaints should be viewed as valuable data to improve service delivery systems, particularly at the local authority level, which represents the government’s frontline closest to the people.
“When integrity is strong, public trust in institutions increases, and with greater trust, service delivery becomes more effective and well-organised,” he said.
