PETALING JAYA: Integrity issues within enforcement agencies cannot be addressed through enforcement alone, says the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC).
EAIC chairman Tan Sri Dr Ismail Bakar said input from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is crucial in helping the commission identify real issues on the ground, including efforts to improve Malaysia’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) ranking.
“Integrity issues cannot be resolved through enforcement alone. A holistic approach is needed, covering prevention, institutional reform, and system improvements.
“NGO input is vital in identifying the real challenges faced by the public as well as misconduct within the public service, especially enforcement agencies,” he said at the NGO Dialogue with the EAIC Chairman on Governance and Integrity at Menara Usahawan on Tuesday (Jan 27).
The dialogue was attended by representatives from NGOs, including the Malaysian Institute of Governance and Integrity (MIG), Malaysia Corruption Watch (MCW), Rasuah Busters, Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING), and Transparency International Malaysia (TI-Malaysia).
According to EAIC, the NGOs raised challenges in implementing integrity agendas, including political pressure and agendas that could affect investigations and enforcement actions, as well as shortcomings in whistleblowing systems.
“Political interference and restrictions on institutional independence were also seen as weakening enforcement effectiveness,” the commission said.
The NGOs suggested that government-community engagement be strengthened through the Open Government Relationship concept, including recognising qualified NGOs as strategic partners in the government’s integrity and governance reform agenda, it added.
EAIC said that as the lead of the Enforcement Focus Group under the Special Task Force on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), it will continue working with NGOs to identify more effective measures to tackle mismanagement and misconduct, review certain aspects of Act 700, and strengthen monitoring and investigations.
The commission added that the ongoing collaboration is expected to boost public confidence in government institutions that are transparent, credible, and uphold integrity.
