KUCHING: The Sarawak Ombudsman is now fully equipped to function as an independent check-and-balance mechanism over government administration in the state.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman), Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya, said the institution is expected to strengthen integrity, accountability and investor confidence in Sarawak following its full operationalisation.
He said this after he and members of the Sarawak Ombudsman paid a courtesy call on Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg at the Premier’s office in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex today (May 15).
Juanda said the establishment of the Ombudsman reflected the Premier’s commitment to strengthening the rule of law and governance in Sarawak.
“This is important because we want Sarawak not only to grow economically through our own resources, but also to attract international investors who are confident in our governance system,” he told reporters.
He said the Sarawak Ombudsman became fully operational after fulfilling the minimum membership requirement under the Sarawak Ombudsman Ordinance 2023.
According to Juanda, the law requires a minimum of five members and allows for a maximum of seven.
“Since Chief Ombudsman, Datuk Seri Abdul Ghafur Shariff, reported for duty in April 2024, it was only in early March this year that we achieved the minimum number required by law to operate fully,” he said.
Juanda said the Ombudsman would oversee matters involving Sarawak Government agencies, local authorities, statutory bodies, government-linked companies (GLCs), and entities receiving emoluments from the Sarawak Government.
He added that the Ombudsman reports directly to the DUN, where a motion to establish a Special Select Committee to review the Ombudsman’s annual reports was approved earlier this week.
“God-willing, during the next DUN sitting, the annual report will be tabled and subsequently reviewed by the Select Committee to determine whether the recommendations and reprimands issued by the Ombudsman have been fully implemented,” he said.
