Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) commends the moves taken by the Kedah Menteri Besar, Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir for his leadership policy not to give or award government projects to his immediate family members.
This positive and pragmatic step proves that the state government and the Menteri Besar is on the right track in combating corruption and strengthening the integrity of his administration.
TI-M hopes that this step, which will also enhance the state government’s delivery and integrity system, will be extended to include its state Exco members and appointed local council members. Similarly, this meaningful step should be emulated by all Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers in this country.
In welcoming this positive development, which is one of the important steps in transforming Malaysia into a corruption free country, TI-M hopes that all state governments will work closely with MACC and to follow the standard set by Datuk Mukhriz. TI-M also hopes that this decision will also include all public procurements and tenders.
TI-M continues to express hope that the Federal Government will take necessary steps to amend Section 23 of MACC Act to plug the loophole to ensure the effectiveness of the policy by not giving or awarding any projects, procurements and tenders to immediate family members of those holding public positions. This amendment to the law is necessary to prohibit any government servant from awarding any project directly to their family members and to ensure that any such award should be done through proper public procurement process incorporating the appropriate integrity pacts.
Meanwhile, TI-M welcomes the statement made at the Delivery Task Force (DTF) Anti- Corruption NKRA (National Key Result Area) Meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last month that all special officers to the cabinet ministers will be required to undergo a vetting process with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the police so as to ensure good governance and increased transparency among the special officers prior to their appointment.
We will continue to work closely with all parties in fighting and curbing corruption.
Issued by
Datuk Akhbar Satar
President
Transparency International-Malaysia
