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The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronysim (C4) congratulates Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali over his announcement to set up an Integrity Office and to pave the way for an Ombudsman for Good Governance in his budget speech 2015. This bold and innovative move is indeed a positive development on the road towards good governance.

It’s a welcome reprieve to hear him pledge to work in partnership with non-governmental organisations, a sharp contrast from the ongoing assault on freedom of expression under the Sedition Act. The urging to work with NGOs and not treat them as enemies of the state gives a tremendous lift to participatory democracy and sets the tone for a more open, consultative and accountable administration.

We will however remain fully vigilant that these good governance mechanisms don’t end up as white elephants for the state. It must have clear goals of bringing forth a higher standard of scrutiny, and accountability at every level of governance. Clear powers of the Ombudsman must be backed by a comprehensive enactment that provides for its independent character.

C4 further recommends that the setting up of the Integrity Office and the Ombudsman must embody the following:

  • MONITOR - To monitor all agreements signed by the state, land transactions, and ensure the fullest transparency and accountability in procurement procedures.
  • EDUCATION - To run a series of training courses for public sector officials in the state, local councils and government-linked companies (GLCs) to develop strong values of integrity and accountability in the workplace.
  • WHISTLEBLOWING - To develop a comprehensive whistleblower protection programme, to encourage public officials to come forward and lodge complaints without fear of a backlash.
  • LEGAL PROVISIONS - Draft an enactment for the setting up a truly independent Public Service Ombudsman for Good Governance, to be tabled at next year’s state assembly sitting.
  • REPORTING TRANSPARENCY - Reports of the Integrity Office and Ombudsman to be tabled directly to the Selangor state assembly, and made fully available to the public.


CYNTHIA GABRIEL is a co-founder of the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4).

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