In Malaysia, it is customary for VVIPs officiating at events to be showered with souvenirs. It applies to both guests of honour in the government and the private sector.
But a recent directive from Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa could suggest that government departments will scrap the practice.
Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad said VVIPs attending school events should no longer be presented with souvenirs.
Retired senior civil servant Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said Alias was right, proper and fair-minded.
“Why should ministers and top officials be given costly presents that are bought by taxpayers, when this money can fund projects for the poor?
“When I was a senior civil servant, we had to declare the value of presents if they were more than RM25. Any present worth more than RM25 could be retained only after obtaining Treasury approval — and this was rarely given!”
Many government-linked companies (GLCs) in Malaysia have adopted a no-gift policy for their staff as a way to inculcate values of integrity and trustworthiness in their business dealings.
It will also help avoid or raise any perception of conflict of interest in their dealings with other parties.
It is high time the government also enforced such a policy.
A veteran newsman, A Jalil Hamid believes that a good journalist should be curious and sceptical at the same time