The establishment of the Ombudsman Special Select Committee marks a significant step in strengthening checks and balances to ensure government agencies act on recommendations and reports submitted by the watchdog body.
Tellian assemblyman Royston Valentine said the committee is not merely a legal requirement under the Sarawak Ombudsman Ordinance 2023, but also an important mechanism to improve public service delivery.
“Through this committee, all issues related to maladministration or weaknesses in the public service system can be monitored, scrutinised and improved in a more organised and effective manner,” he said.
He was debating in support of the motion of the Ombudsman Special Select Committee under section 42 (3) of the Sarawak Ombudsman Ordinance, 2023 today.
Royston said the motion reflects the active role of the DUN in empowering legislative oversight to ensure the regional administration aligns with the principles of good governance.
Drawing parallels with international best practices, he cited Malawi’s ombudsman system as a successful model that evolved from handling minor complaints to conducting systemic investigations into high-level government agencies.
“What is interesting is that the ombudsman in that country reports directly to the Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee, ensuring that agencies failing to comply with administrative decisions are held accountable,” he added.
Royston noted that under the leadership of the Premier, the Sarawak government has been proactive in institutional reform, digitalization, and enhancing governance.
He said that these efforts are crucial as Sarawak aims to double its GDP to RM282 billion by 2030 under the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“An economy aiming for high-income status requires a solid foundation of integrity.
“Citizens want to see a government that listens, acts, and is brave enough to correct its weaknesses,” he said.
He added that international studies by bodies such as Transparency International and the World Bank confirm that strong legislative oversight and effective check-and-balance mechanisms are key factors in improving a region’s credibility and investor confidence.
“The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is not just talking about integrity; we are putting words into action,” Royston added.
