PUTRAJAYA: Swift and robust disciplinary action is needed to break the long-standing cycle of corruption and integrity breaches within the public sector, says Tan Sri Dr Ismail Bakar.
The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) chairman said misconduct, particularly involving corruption, has persisted for decades due to a “culture passed down over generations”.
“Why is this still happening after 20 or 30 years? It is because the behaviour is being inherited.
“People learn from others and the practice continues unless we decisively stop it,” he said in an interview recently.
Ismail stressed that firm leadership and commitment from top management are crucial in addressing the issue, including willingness to take swift action against offenders.
He said departments should not wait for court proceedings to conclude before acting against personnel found to have committed serious misconduct.
“If there is strong evidence, terminate their service immediately.
“Court action is separate and disciplinary action should be taken without delay,” he said.
Delays in disciplinary measures, he noted, often weaken enforcement and reduce the deterrent effect because cases can drag on for years without resolution.
“When action is delayed, justice is delayed.
“By the time a decision is made, perceptions change and sympathy may arise, which complicates enforcement,” he added.
Ismail acknowledged that fear of legal repercussions and sympathy for affected officers sometimes cause departments to hesitate in acting decisively.
He stressed that the government has legal representation and should not shy away from enforcing rules.
On public complaints, he said a significant number of reported misconduct cases previously went unresolved or faced prolonged delays.
“Some agencies respond by saying action is being taken but even after three to five years, there is no outcome.
“That is not acceptable,” he said, adding that clear timelines must be set for investigations and disciplinary decisions.
Following recent public attention and reminders issued by the commission, Ismail said there has been some improvement with regard to responses from the agencies.
On the role of social media, Ismail said while whistleblowing through informal channels can help expose wrongdoing, it also carries risks.
“It is a good effort but without proper channels, we cannot guarantee protection for the whistleblower,” he said, adding that this could result in repercussions such as harassment.
He encouraged the public to use formal reporting mechanisms to ensure both the integrity of information and the safety of informants.
Looking ahead, he expressed hope that integrity would become a deeply rooted culture rather than merely a compliance requirement.
“We want integrity to be embedded in every individual, not just something done to fulfil rules,” he said.
He also reiterated the importance of having no exceptions in enforcement, stressing that all parties must be subject to the same standards.
“To restore public confidence, there must be firm laws and strong political will.
“No one should be above the law,” he added.
