JITN will not have any power to influence MACC probes

PUTRAJAYA: The National Integrity and Good Governance Department (JITN), which will be established soon, will not have any power to influence the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) investigations, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuang (pic).

"Not just the MACC, but also the Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM), Malaysia Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) and the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (SIAP) because these are all independent institutions," he said.

Met by reporters after launching SIAP's Open Day and SIAP Strategic Plan 2017-2022 here Thursday, Low said the proposed JITN would lead the transformational change in building the institutional capacity, especially among civil servants, to initiate and drive policy changes and to strengthen government processes.

On Monday, Low said JITN was being upgraded from the Integrity and Good Governance Division under the Prime Minister's Department into a full department.

In a statement Wednesday, Low said the establishment of JITN was currently being finalised by the Public Service Department in consultation with all the relevant agencies to ensure there was no duplication in function and to improve the effective use of resources and manpower.

Low said the establishment of JITN was approved by the Cabinet on July 28, in line with the Government Transformation Programme, for the institutionalisation of compliance initiatives in the areas of governance, integrity and human rights.

Earlier, SIAP chairman Datuk Yaacob Md Sam, in his speech, said the SIAP Strategic Plan 2017-2022 was the body's effort, apart from the MACC's, towards strengthening the integrity of enforcement agencies and officers as they had been given that responsibility.

"This strategic plan has four main thrusts with formulated actions to be undertaken by SIAP within the five-year period," he said.

The thrusts are strengthening the service delivery in managing complaints and investigations; the laws and procedures; education and prevention, and making integrity a culture; and strengthening the organisation's capacity and capability.

"This plan will also form the guideline for SIAP's moves in all the planning, programmes and activities carried out in preparing SIAP to face the challenges ahead in tandem with the country's progress and development, and global changes," said Yaacob. – Bernama