Public Sector Accountability Promoted by MACC

KUALA LUMPUR: Lim Bee Kean, director of the Agency Integrity Management Division of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), said MACC does more than just arrest alleged criminals, but also actively works towards a corruption-free country.

“Most people realize that we educate about enforcement, prevention and countering corruption. But we also have a responsibility to promote integrity and accountability.”

She added that the division was established on June 1, 2013, and is tasked with overseeing and providing advisory services, developing agency integrity management policies and conducting risk assessments in the public and private sectors.

“This ensures that integrity management in public sector and government-linked companies (GLCs) is carried out systematically and effectively, in line with their core functions.

“As of May 31, 586 public agencies have established Integrity Units at their levels, while 631 GLCs have established Integrity and Governance Units (IGUs).”

She added that these units act as focal points for managing integrity issues across all public agencies and GLCs to ensure that employees uphold a culture of excellence characterised by strong moral and ethical values.

The mission of these units is to assist agencies in strengthening internal controls to prevent corruption, abuse of power and misconduct, and to foster a clean and healthy business culture.

She also added that since the establishment of such units in public agencies and GLCs, various activities, initiatives and programmes have been implemented to strengthen integrity and good governance in individual agencies.

“These initiatives can serve as a reference point and provide guidance to public agencies and the private sector in their efforts to improve and strengthen the integrity of their organizations.”

She added that the department has produced a book titled “Koleksi Amalan Baik Inisiatif Pencegahan Rasuah, Integriti dan Tatakelola Unit Integriti & Governans (IGU), Edisi Tahun 2024.”

Lim said the book is in infographic format and contains 44 integrity initiatives and programmes voluntarily shared by 26 intergovernmental trade unions in GLCs and legislative bodies across the country to carry out anti-corruption tasks and strengthen organisational integrity.

“The aim of the book is to showcase the efforts and initiatives of IGU officers in curbing corrupt practices and ethical violations through activities that strengthen integrity and improve organisational systems and procedures in Malaysia,” she said, adding that the publication can serve as a reference and guide in implementing the core functions of the IGU.

The book launch will be held tomorrow at the Mercu UEM building in conjunction with the Chief Integrity and Governance Unit (CIGO) Symposium and the 6th CIGO Series 2024. Those interested in obtaining the e-book in Bahasa Melayu can download it from the official MACC portal after the launch.

Lim said a second book in collaboration with Khazanah Nasional Berhad, titled “Achieving Appropriate Procedures for Small and Medium Enterprises,” will be released at the same time.

“The book presents views and perspectives on the activities of Khazanah Nasional Berhad in implementing the functions of the IGU and its involvement in implementing the ‘appropriate procedures’ necessary to prevent offences under Section 17A of the MACC Act 2009, which covers corporate responsibility matters in commercial organisations.”

She added that the opinions presented are based on the company’s experience in working with small and medium-sized enterprises that are beneficiaries of the investment.

“Tackling corruption requires a collective effort from all parties, and we have a responsibility to support the anti-corruption initiatives implemented by the government to create a cleaner and more honest society.”