Welcome Rakan Sarawak March2004

Rangkaian Khidmat Awam Negeri Sarawak

A MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF RAKAN SARAWAK BULLETIN

(People, events, activities and programmes which make for a total quality-managed Sarawak Civil Service)

ISSN 1394-5726

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“No government officers should serve more than 5 years in one place”. Datuk Aziz advocating the need for rotational transfers to curb corruption

Government officers have until March 31, 2004 to declare their assets, a requirement which was introduced by the government to prevent corrupt practices among its officers.

According to Encik Bujang Budin, Section Head in the Human Resource Management Unit, only 50% of the assets declaration forms have been received with the rest to be handed in by the end of March when the deadline expires.

The Declaration of Assets is in compliance with the General Order No.158 which requires that all government officers declare in writing his/her assets,
including those of his/her spouse and children, to the State Secretary through their heads of departments.

The move to seriously enforce these measures is in line with the policy of the current government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The Prime Minister has called on all Malaysians, whether or not they serve in the public sectors, to work together in eradicating corrupt practices and instill a greater sense of responsibility and accountability among the people. “We have vetted through most of the forms submitted so far, and everything seem to be in order,” he added.

He said this in response to the comment made by the State Secretary, YB Datuk Amar Haji Abdul Aziz Husain on the need to enforce rotational transfers among government officers as a way to curb malpractices in the Service.

The 3-5 years rotational inter-department transfers or transfers within the departments is necessary to check the tendency for officers to get too comfortable which could give rise to corruption. To ensure a more efficient movement of staff, the authority to transfer officers within the department is given to the heads of department with effect from November, 2003. This is also allowed because the Heads of Departments are more aware of the needs of the departments and the resources required to serve their needs. However, inter-department transfers will still need the approval of the State Secretary.

On the seriousness of corrupt practices in the State Civil Service, Encik Bujang said the situation is under control. “Most of the complaints received by our department are cases involving truancy and other minor disciplinary problems”, he explained.

The HRM Unit will be conducting a month-long road show throughout Sarawak in March to educate and heighten awareness among government officers on their responsibility to declare their assets.