Better measures needed to vet civil servants

KUALA LUMPUR: The vetting process for hiring civil servants may need to be improved to curb involvement in corruption while they are in the service, says Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.

The Chief Secretary to the Government said to achieve zero corruption among civil servants, some measures should be taken, including the vetting process of hiring only individuals of high integrity to fill the posts.

“So far, we have the vetting process in place, but perhaps we should improve it as during intake there is no problem.

“However, they change halfway through the service,” he told reporters after visiting SJK (T) Jalan Fletcher yesterday.

He was commenting on media reports on MACC's statement that out of the 414 individuals arrested for various offences this year, 191 people or 46% of them were civil servants.

He said the integrity unit established in each ministry and department should actively organise awareness campaigns for civil servants so that they would always be reminded to carry out their responsibilities in a transparent manner.

Ali also stressed that although corruption involving public servants was still under control, it was important to eliminate this immoral activity from the sector. — Bernama