PUTRAJAYA: All local governments or Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT) in three states under Perikatan Nasional's (PN) administration have yet to establish any integrity units.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the states are Kedah, Perlis, and Kelantan.
He said this was revealed by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki during the latter's recent visit to the ministry.
Nga and Azam had discussed matters pertaining to anti-graft action plans and strategies.
"In line with the aspirations of Malaysia Madani, I have instructed all local governments that have not yet implemented this directive from the Public Service Department (PSD) to immediately establish their own integrity units," Nga said in a statement.
He said integrity units are crucial to ensure the commitment of all 156 local governments in the Madani government's effort to combat corruption.
Nga said the findings about the absence of an integrity unit in these three states were shared with him following a study the commission recently conducted.
Based on the findings, Nga commended two states - Selangor and Penang - for setting good examples in implementing the circular to establish integrity units in both states.
"We will continue to monitor and ensure that these integrity units function effectively to uphold the principles of integrity in line with the Madani government's principles that emphasises good governance," he said.
Nga said he invited the MACC to his office to discuss action plans and strategies to prevent corruption in line with the aspirations of Malaysia Madani, which upholds the principle of integrity.
He said the discussion was held at his office with Azam and his entourage, which comprised MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Seri Nor Azlan Mohd Razali, Housing and Local Government secretary-general Datuk Wira M Nor Azman
Taib, and Department of Local Government director-general Datuk Mohd Fazli Kenari.