PETALING JAYA: Limited manpower should not be a hindrance for district councils to form an integrity unit.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said it was compulsory for all 156 local authorities to establish an integrity unit.
He said civil servants should multitask as upholding integrity could also be a side-task.
"Like I emphasised, where there is a will, there is a way. The lack of staff should not be an obstacle to (maintaining) the principle of integrity.
"I am not asking local authorities to establish an integrity unit with 100 people, even one or two individuals can suffice.
"In this era of globalisation, all employees, including myself, need to multitask. After this, I have to create TikTok content as well. I am directed to do TikTok (videos) every day. This is multitasking.
"I believe public servants are in the same position. Even high-ranking officials need to multitask. It should not hinder our core duties. Upholding integrity can be a side-task," he told reporters after the 2024 Local Authorities Convention here today.
Nga was asked whether there would be a hindrance for district councils to form integrity units due to limited manpower.
He reiterated his call to the local authorities in Kelantan, Perlis and Kedah that had yet to establish an integrity unit.
"I hope that after this convention, we will take the initiative to establish one because a circular has been issued. This is in line with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, and we will work closely with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission," he said.
Last month, the Kangar Municipal Council clarified that its integrity unit was established on May 11 this year.
This followed a statement by Nga that the local authorities in Perlis, Kedah and Kelantan had yet to set up integrity units.