KUCHING: Sarawak continues to lead in public trust through the establishment of robust institutions such as the Sarawak Integrity and Ombudsman Unit.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the unit symbolises the institutional will to uphold accountability, prevent corruption and promote good governance.
He said the public service must be people-centred and value driven, where integrity is practiced not just at the top but at every level.
“One of the strongest determinants of national success is public trust and trust is earned through transparency, openness and accountability.
“In terms of promoting good governance among organisations, it must be first institutionalised. This step includes strengthening the capacity and independence of institutions like MACC and local integrity units.
“Our civil service must also be subjected to meritocracy, digital system, and public-centric service system in order to practice good support systems and transparency,” he said in his text-of-speech read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during the Borneo International Integrity Summit (BIIS) 2025 held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here, yesterday.
Abang Johari said Sarawak has been growing rapidly in terms of positioning itself to the centre of the business and economy.
“We have been an example to those out there. This is clearly a reflection of good governance and high sensibility when governing.
“This is what we want to polish and carve out from our future generation to build an even better Sarawak.
“This development shows that we are on the right path and aiming for the better vision in the upcoming years.”
Anchored on the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, he said PCDS identifies good governance, transparency, and integrity as foundational enablers of our transformation.
He said these principles are not merely for achieving long-term success but reflect the commitment to serve the people with honesty, to manage resources responsibly, and to build public institutions that are both resilient and trustworthy.
“Sarawak’s journey towards progress is not solely measured by the scale of our infrastructure or the strength of our economic indicators.
“It is about shaping a society that is just, inclusive and accountable. It is about building a future where every citizen, regardless of background or status, has equal access to opportunities.
“It is about ensuring that every ringgit spent is done so with integrity and transparency.
“Most importantly, it is about making decisions that serve the greater public interest, upholding the values of good governance and strengthening the trust between the government and the people.
“This is the kind of development that will secure a sustainable and prosperous Sarawak for generations to come,” he said.
More than 800 people participated in the programme, involving students from national and international universities, delegations, and state and federal government agencies’ staff.
