Malaysian Public Servants involved in procurement are to be required to sign an ‘Integrity Pact’ under which they must make anti-graft declarations.
In this new effort to fight corruption, officials appointed to committees that shortlist bidders, or who are making a final decision on any procurement-related project, must sign a declaration before and after each time an offer is made.
Successful contractors are to be required to make similar declarations from 1 April.
A Treasury Circular stated the objective of this move was to enhance integrity among the officials involved, as well as transparency in the offer and acceptance of Government contracts.
“At the same time, it is aimed at eradicating leakages in Government expenditure and eliminating abuse of power,” Treasury said.
“Agencies must pay serious attention and play an important role to inculcate a culture of integrity among Civil Servants and companies that bid for Government projects,” it said.
“This is absolutely vital to stop leakages and ensure the Government and people benefit.”
The Treasury also specified that all employees involved directly or indirectly in Government procurements or contracts must first sign an initial declaration the moment they report for work — this to be renewed annually.
Meanwhile the Chief Minister of Malacca State has promised to take disciplinary action against “rotten apples who tarnish the image of the Government”.
Sulaiman Md Ali said those not ready to uphold good ethics had no role to play in the State’s Public Service.
“All of us will face the brunt of the people because of a few rotten apples. The most effective way is to remove them and nip the problem in the bud,” Datuk Seri Sulaiman said.
“We have heard negative news about Civil Servants being caught for drug abuses and cheating on digital vaccination certificates — these few will be axed to save the image of the State Government,” he said.
Kuala Lumpur, 18 January 2022
