State tops nation with most integrity officers

KUCHING: Sarawak is etching its name as a frontrunner in integrity and good governance, boasting the highest number of Certified Integrity Officers (CEIOs) in Malaysia, said the State Integrity and Ombudsman Unit (UNION) director Wan Mohamad Wan Drahman.

The 38th CEIO programme, held from May 16 to July 2, equipped 42 officers from various agencies with the necessary skills and knowledge.

“Currently, Sarawak has 166 certified CEIOs. This number will jump to 208 with the addition of these latest graduates.

“This achievement underscores Sarawak’s leadership in fostering an integrity-driven administration through its extensive CEIO training initiatives,” said Wan Mohamad during the programme’s closing ceremony at The Waterfront Hotel today (July 2).

He reiterated Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s vision of placing CEIOs in all government agencies to ensure a thriving and evolving integrity ecosystem within his administration.

“This initiative aligns perfectly with the Post-COVID Development Strategy (PCDS 2030), which aims to transform Sarawak into a progressive and prosperous state with high integrity by 2030,” he added.

Highlighting the critical role of CEIOs, he echoed State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki’s statement urging department heads to empower CEIOs to focus solely on integrity-related tasks and report any breaches of integrity and maladministration directly to UNIONS for swift action.

“This directive aligns with the Sarawak Ombudsman Act, passed on November 20, 2023, marking it as the first Ombudsman law in Malaysia.

“The Act signifies a major step forward in enhancing accountability and transparency within the state’s governance framework,” he said.

With this robust framework and the continued expansion of its CEIO programme, Wan Mohamad expressed confidence that Sarawak is well-positioned to lead the nation in integrity and governance, setting a benchmark for other states to emulate.