BANGI: The government has approved the establishment of a Special Task Force on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) to be chaired by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
The task force, Shamsul Azri said, will analyse the findings of the CPI survey as well as propose recommendations and strategies for institutional and legal reforms, including enhancing check-and-balance mechanisms.
"The government has previously set a target to achieve the top 25 position in the CPI by 2033 during the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review, as outlined in the Madani Economy document.
"Following this, the government has agreed to establish a CPI Special Task Force, that will be chaired by myself," he said in his keynote address at the National Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission Research Conference today.
Present was Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
Shamsul Azri, at the same time, urged civil servants to adapt their mindset, as well as work practices to match the pace of global change and the rapid advancements in information technology.
This, he said, was as the rapid growth of the digital technology era has created opportunities for irresponsible individuals to exploit weaknesses in work procedures and regulations.
"We face various new challenges that go beyond economic and social issues, such as cyber security threats and the rapid development of digital technology through Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain and big data, which demand a balance between technological advancement and addressing social issues involving humanity.
"The digitisation of civil services through initiatives like online services, open data and others aimed at reducing bureaucracy and human interference is not immune to the risk of corruption.
"In fact, it may lead to new, more complex forms of corruption, such as those involving bitcoin and cryptocurrency.
"This presents a challenge for us, as civil servants, to carefully review any improvements to existing laws, regulations, and policies to ensure that the public service system remains resistant to disruption by those with ill intent," he said.
He also said the civil service relies on the support and trust of all to remain resilient and effective in fulfilling its entrusted responsibilities.
"How can a team excel if it doesn't have the support and trust of its members to uplift morale? A captain cannot navigate his ship far into the ocean without the confidence of his crew.
"As such, I call upon the entire civil service to collaborate in ensuring that good governance, based on the principles of transparency, accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness, is implemented to the highest standards."