KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is prepared to provide advisory and training support to ensure the establishment of integrity units in each of the 156 local authorities nationwide.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said currently only 49 local authorities had their own integrity unit.
Azam said the anti-graft busters also welcomed the initiative by the Housing and Local Government Ministry to incorporate anti-corruption elements into the local authorities' star-rating assessment system starting this year.
"MACC is confident that this initiative will enhance transparency in the performance of local authorities.
"This step is crucial for strengthening integrity, governance and management to realise an efficient, clean and effective public service system.
"In this regard, MACC is prepared to provide advisory and training support in the establishment of integrity units in each of the 156 local authorities across the country, in line with the requirements of the Human Resource Service Circular (PPSM) Division 1.2.1: Establishment of Integrity Units (UI) in all Public Sectors, as recommended in the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) plan," he said in a statement.
Yesterday, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said 12 local authorities had been downgraded in their Local Authority Star Assessment System (SPB-PBT) ratings after the government put in place an anti-corruption criterion.
Nga said the new evaluation criteria were put in place to ensure that the country improved in its position in the corruption perception index (CPI).
The SPB-PBT is a government rating system used to evaluate local authorities' performance and efficiency. It serves as a mechanism to assess how well local authorities meet established service standards, encourage improvements in service delivery and identify areas that need enhancement.
Through SPB-PBT, local authorities are rated based on their performance across various categories, including financial management, service delivery and administrative effectiveness.
Azam said the establishment of integrity units in every local authority should be prioritised as these units are essential for curbing criminal misconduct and violations of conduct and ethics at the agency level.
For this purpose, he said, the integrity unit must effectively implement six core functions which include governance, strengthening integrity, detection and verification, complaint management, compliance and disciplinary action.
"In this context, the Agency Integrity Management Division (BPIA) of MACC will assist in coordinating the implementation of integrity unit functions while providing policies and management mechanisms for public agencies.
"The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy (MACA), an international institution under MACC, also plays a crucial role in providing training programmes related to anti-corruption and integrity," he said.
Azam said MACC also welcomes ongoing cooperation and collaboration from public agencies to implement the initiatives outlined in the NACS.