Integrity units must be proactive, not just handle complaints, says Johari

PUTRAJAYA: Johari Abdul, the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, emphasizes that integrity units within organisations must shift from a reactive stance of handling complaints to a proactive approach in addressing systemic issues before corruption can take hold. The effectiveness of these units should be gauged by the cultivation of a culture of accountability, rather than merely tallying the number of corruption cases they uncover.

Johari further asserts that the broader national effort to combat corruption must be redefined, moving away from reliance solely on arrest rates, charges, and convictions. "Integrity units should not merely manage complaints or impose penalties post-incident," he asserts. "True success lies in early identification of risks, rectification of systemic weaknesses, and embedding a culture of integrity within an organisation's core."

Johari underscores Parliament's responsibility in reinforcing institutional safeguards, citing the Auditor-General's Report from February, which identified 273 new issues pertaining to financial management and governance at national and state levels. He further points to the ongoing proceedings of the Public Accounts Committee, reinforcing the Dewan Rakyat's mandate to uphold financial accountability and transparency as foundational elements of national governance.