Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today launched the National Integrity Plan, which aims to create an ethical Malaysian society.

He also launched the Malaysian Integrity Institute (MII) to monitor the implementation of the plan. Among its chief aspirations, is to reduce corruption and abuse of power.

"For the first time, integrity is being looked at closely, specifically and in an integrated manner.

"Ultimately, we want Malaysians who are able to brave the challenging times ahead with fortitude and strength of character, to be able to come out on top when faced with grave problems and great obstacles," he was quoted as saying in a Bernama report.

Chief Secretary to the Government Samsudin Osman was appointed as the first chairperson of the MMI board of directors. The president and other board members will be appointed as soon as possible.

Five targets

Abdullah said the plan has five targets for the first five years from 2004 to 2008. The targets, known as Resolution 2000, are to:

  • Effectively reduce corruption, irregularities and abuse of power
  • Enhance efficiency in the public service delivery system and overcome bureaucracy
  • Enhance corporate management and business ethics
  • Strengthen the family institution
  • Improve the quality of life and wellbeing of the society

As for the MII, the premier said its functions will be to:

  • Conduct research, education and training pertaining to the integrity institution and the society
  • Develop a database on integrity and ethics
  • Make policy recommendations on enhancing integrity and ethics and provide advisory service to the government on integrity enhancement programmes
  • Conduct constant monitoring to ensure implementation of the contents of the plan.

Anti-corruption stand

The premier also proposed that MII spearhead a biennial study on the public perception of corruption to help the government gauge the effectiveness of its strategies to enhance integrity and combat corruption.

He said modernisation had, to a certain extent, corroded the value system of the Malaysian society as could be seen, among others, from the corrupt acts, lack of civic consciousness on the roads, lack of regard for the environment and public amenities and non-people-friendly counter service.

"The occurrence of corruption and abuse does not gel with the people's aspiration to live in an ethical society that is free from corruption.

"What's the use of having a Malaysia society that is rich materially but devoid of moral values, ethics and integrity," he said.

Abdullah said the crackdown on politicians, civil servants and corporate figures in connection with corruption or criminal breach of trust showed that the Barisan Nasional government was serious in tackling these ills.

"However, we must not get carried away by suspicion and emotion or trial by media where a person is considered guilty before the matter is thoroughly investigated," he added.

The premier said he had directed the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to investigate cases without fear or favour and to expedite investigations without sacrificing thoroughness.

He stressed that cases of corruption, breach of trust and abuse of power must be tackled immediately with punitive action.

"The principle behind every punitive action is justice and fairness. As such, we should be fair to the accused so long as he is not proven guilty," he said.

He also said that the launch of the integrity plan was in line with several initiatives taken earlier to enhance integrity in the private sector, police force and among elected representatives.

The long-term objective of the plan was to meet one of the objectives of Vision 2020 which was to form a society with strong moral and ethical values and citizens with strong religious and spiritual values and noble character, he said.

He believed that the BN's landslide victory in the last general election reflected the people's confidence in the BN's seriousness to bring about changes to meet their aspirations.

Also present at the launch at the Putrajaya Convention Centre were Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, cabinet ministers, menteris besar and chief ministers, top government servants and members of the diplomatic corps.