Sarawak Tourism Board has clean record

KUCHING: The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has not been involved in any form of corruption, said Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts revealed that the organisation still shows a clean record of excellence without involving any problems of integrity or corruption.

“If there is any (corruption) the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) would have come in but so far there is none.

“I’ve heard rumours that when someone wasn’t successful in their bid (for a project) they will go to social media and that’s normal,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference after he officiated at the STB Integrity Policies at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Thursday.

Abdul Karim said if it is found that such a case has occurred, he would come forward and make a report to ensure that the matter involved can be eliminated based on the appropriate law enforcement.

Earlier in his speech, Abdul Karim said the launching of the ‘STB Integrity Policies Book’ will serve as a powerful tool that encapsulates the board’s commitment in good governance, transparency and accountability.

He added that when the Sarawak Legislative Assembly unanimously approved the Sarawak Ombudsman Bill on Nov 20, 2023, Sarawak became the first state in Malaysia to set up an ombudsman institution.

“This will elevate the accountability standards in public administration and enhance the transparency and accountability in government agencies,” he said.

Meanwhile, STB chief executive officer, (CEO), Sharzede Salleh Askor pointed out that STB’s Integrity Day 2023, is not just to celebrate a milestone but to reaffirm STB’s commitment to integrity.

“As we mark this Integrity Day, we acknowledge that integrity is not merely part of our policies, it is ingrained in the very DNA of Sarawak Tourism Board.

“We are here today to accentuate the importance of ethical behaviour and to launch two vital policies that will guide our journey- the Due Diligence Policy and the Conflict of Interest Policy,” she said.