PUTRAJAYA: The practice of giving gifts, organising parties, and sponsoring public service programmes poses a risk of fostering a culture of bribery if left unchecked.
Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) chairman, Tan Sri Dr Ismail Bakar, said paying tribute, an age-old practice where subordinates make contributions of money, gold, or gifts to higher-ranking officials – traditionally seen as gestures of respect and appreciation – remains prevalent today.
In modern public services, similar practices, such as hosting extravagant dinners to welcome 'guests' visiting field projects, continue.
Ismail said the culture of welcoming department heads or superiors, or other celebratory events, with lavish banquets and gifts, should be made transparent, reduced, or stopped altogether.
He added complaints have been lodged about staff being told to prepare elaborate provisions to welcome 'guests' in the field, including hosting dinners and organising golf outings.
"If there is no allocation, you have to seek sponsorship. At times, when this is difficult, you might have to resort to informal activities to contribute because the 'boss' is coming over, and you need to prepare dinner and gifts accordingly," he said.
Ismail added that while field trips were beneficial, celebrating department heads at the expense of other officers is unnecessary and counterproductive.
"Field trips are valuable, but excessive celebrations for heads of departments, especially when funded by staff with low salaries, lead to a problematic culture," he said.
He was also concerned about the burden placed on staff to prepare donations for farewell parties or weddings involving superiors, which often resulted in staff seeking donations from external parties with dealings with the departments.
"The boss hosts a feast and invites everyone, but if this happens too frequently, it becomes a burden. When funds are insufficient, the staff are asked to raise money, or those with authority are requested to provide the venue, tables, and meals.
"We should have progressed beyond these practices by 2024. Sometimes, inappropriate gifts are given, which can lead to integrity violations if not addressed," he added.
Ismail urged civil servants to adhere to the 'No Gift Policy' and be cautious – particularly department heads – about whether a gift might compromise their ability to enforce departmental rules.
"We already have a 'No Gift Policy'; it just needs to be implemented. Avoiding practices that can lead to slander is crucial if you are committed to maintaining a high level of integrity," he said. --BERNAMA