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By Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Member Integrity Institute
KOTA KINABALU: Ongoing efforts to eradicate corruption within the civil service though belated are very crucial as this is fundamental to safeguarding public trust, strengthening governance, and ensuring that public resources are used solely for the benefit of the people.
Corruption in the civil service is not a victimless act. It erodes confidence in public institutions, undermines the rule of law, distorts decision-making, and deprives citizens—especially the most vulnerable—of fair access to services. If left unchecked, it weakens the moral authority of the government and hampers national development.
Eradicating corruption is therefore not merely a legal or administrative exercise; it is a moral imperative. A clean and professional civil service is essential for effective policy implementation, economic stability, investor confidence, and social cohesion.
To achieve this effectively, a comprehensive and sustained approach is required. This includes strong political will, independent and empowered enforcement agencies, and the consistent application of the law without fear or favour.
Transparency in decision-making, open access to information, and robust internal controls must become standard practice across all departments.
Equally important is cultivating a culture of integrity within the civil service. This can be achieved through continuous ethics training, clear codes of conduct, protection for whistleblowers, and leadership by example.
Officers who uphold integrity must be recognised and protected, while those who abuse their positions must face swift and proportionate consequences.
Public participation also plays a crucial role. Civil society, the media, and citizens must be empowered to act as partners in accountability, ensuring that corruption is exposed and addressed, not normalised or ignored.
The fight against corruption requires persistence, courage, and collective responsibility.
By remaining firm in our commitment to integrity and good governance, we can build a civil service that truly serves the public interest and earns the respect and trust of the nation.
