KOTA KINABALU: Civil servants in Sabah have been urged to point out improper practices in government procedures to prevent corruption, said Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (pic).
The Sabah Chief Minister said civil servants can be honest with him in instances like this, as it takes good practices in the public sector to move the nation forward.
“Corruption and other negative practices can destroy the public sector and eventually make the people suffer,” he said during a farewell dinner for State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman on Sunday (July 8).
“Civil servants must be brave on what they stand for. Point out if leaders stray because if we don't, a highly corrupted government will emerge. We need to be an example to others,” he said.
Shafie also urged civil servants to remain dedicated to their duties and to commit themselves to the aspirations of the new government.
He said the new government, which puts the interest of the people first, needed a committed workforce.
He advised civil servants to clearly understand the separation of powers so as not to infringe on another person’s job domain and to ensure smooth running of the civil service.
“Otherwise, there will be cases of infringing, where one person decides to execute a task which should have been another person’s job,” he added.
Meanwhile, Shafie thanked Sukarti for dedicating more than 40 years to the Sabah civil service and extended his appreciation for the latter’s advice and co-operation since he took over as Chief Minister in May.
“There have been times when he has advised me on what can be done so that this new government can rule the state in accordance to the law,” he said.
Sukarti later delivered a speech thanking the state civil service for their support rendered to him throughout his career.
He believed the public sector was resilient and dynamic enough to continue serving well under a new government, as well as giving their co-operation to the new State Secretary, Datuk Hashim Paijan.
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