PUTRAJAYA: The setting up of a Malaysian Ombudsman is not merely a rebranding of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) but an enhancement of accountability and governance, says its chairman Tan Sri Dr Ismail Bakar (pic).
“We are not just changing the name but also enhancing the content and structure to ensure it is more effective.
“The Ombudsman model will be benchmarked against those in other countries,” he said in an interview recently.
He stressed that the establishment of an Ombudsman is crucial to strengthen oversight and address systemic weaknesses in enforcement agencies, owing to limitations under the current legal framework that restrict the commission’s effectiveness.
“One of the key obstacles lies within our own legal framework under the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) Act, which limits our authority.
“While we can make recommendations, enforcement agencies are not obligated to act on them and this affects the effectiveness of our decisions,” Ismail said.
Among the proposed improvements is the removal of exemptions that currently shield certain agencies from investigation, he added.
“Everyone must be treated equally. There should be no protection for any agency.
“If wrongdoing occurs, it must be investigated fairly,” he said, adding that any entity receiving government funds or contracts will fall under its jurisdiction.
He said the new body is expected to merge the Public Complaints Bureau with the EAIC, enabling it to address both misconduct and maladministration within government agencies more effectively.
Ismail revealed that draft legislation for the Ombudsman could be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat as early as June this year, with the possibility of implementation beginning in stages by 2027 if the Bill is passed.
Despite its structural limitations, he said the EAIC has continued to play a significant role in promoting anti- corruption awareness and cultivating a culture of integrity since its establishment in 2011.
Marking its 15th anniversary today, Ismail said that his focus is to ensure that the EAIC functions independently as an effective oversight body.
“Our role is not merely to monitor or report misconduct but to eradicate it and instil comprehensive integrity in every enforcement decision.
“We want the EAIC to be the first and last resort where every complaint is adjudicated transparently and without prejudice,” he said.
He noted that every ringgit allocated by the government must bring real change, ensuring that every grievance receives a precise and effective resolution.
This approach, he said, is also aimed at assisting agencies improve their internal systems and building public trust without compromising operational effectiveness.
“With this direction, the EAIC does not exist just ‘for the sake of existing’ or as government propaganda, but as a functional body that provides direct benefits to the community and builds confidence in our enforcement agencies,” Ismail said.
He cautioned that recent investigations involving agencies such as the Immigration Department and the Environment Department indicated deeper and systemic issues.
“What we are seeing is not isolated incidents but structural problems.
“In some cases, misconduct has become normalised and even organised, which is very concerning,” he said.
He added that strong commitment from top leadership, including ministers and department heads, is essential to address these challenges effectively.
On the broader issue, Ismail said integrity remains the foundation of national progress.
“Without integrity, a country cannot move forward.
“A lack of integrity leads to corruption and, ultimately, a failed state,” he added.
He also warned that misuse of public funds could erode public trust and potentially lead to greater demands for accountability from taxpayers.
Although there have been some improvements following EAIC recommendations, Ismail acknowledged that the overall level of integrity remains unsatisfactory.
“I am not satisfied with the current level of integrity. There is still much room for improvement.
“Integrity cannot be partial and must be absolute,” he said.
He added that the public must also be nurtured to be law-abiding citizens, where respect for the law becomes a shared societal value.
Building a culture of integrity also requires continuous effort at all levels of society, he said.
“It must be cultivated as a culture, from top leadership down to the grassroots. Only then can we achieve lasting change,” he said.
