Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today that enhancing ethics and integrity in the people's daily life was crucial to attain developed country status and a progressive society with high moral values.

As the basis to strengthen ethics and integrity in society, he said the government launched the National Integrity Plan and set up the Integrity Institute of Malaysia apart from stepping up efforts to fight the corruption scourge in the public and private sectors.

"In fact, the move to enhance integrity is comprehensive and encompassed people from all strata of society," he said in his message to mark the inaugural National Integrity Day today.

Abdullah said the government's move to declare Nov 5 every year as a National Integrity Day is aimed at making integrity as a culture and way of life of the Malaysian society.

"Although the National Integrity Day is observed once a year, the government hoped implementation of the integrity agenda by all Malaysians will be an ongoing programme," he said in a Bernama report.

The prime minister said effectiveness and success of the integrity enhancement initiative would hinge on the direct involvement of all parties.

In this regard, he welcomed the support and involvement of the public and private sectors and non-governmental organisations in ensuring success of the National Integrity Day.

Way of life

Meanwhile, Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation deputy chairperson Lee Lam Thye said that integrity should be the way of life of Malaysians from all strata of society,

He said integrity was not merely meant for certain section of the Malaysian multiracial society but for all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion.

"Integrity should not be imposed only on enforcement agencies, civil servants and the private sector but inculcated by all Malaysians," he told Bernama in conjunction with National Integrity Day.

Lee said: "What is important now is the action by all parties towards promoting and achieving integrity in the country.

"The government has taken the initiative to set up the Institute of Integrity Malaysia and has launched the National Integrity Plan but what is lacking is the people's will to realise the objectives and ensuring integrity is put into action," he added.