No compromise on power abuse and graft, regardless of rank - chief sec

 

The government will not compromise with any civil servant found to have abused power or been involved in corruption, including those at the highest management level, said Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

He said that following recent developments involving arrests and investigations related to abuse of power, the public service would extend full cooperation to the authorities to ensure that investigations are conducted thoroughly and transparently.

“The public service will not compromise at all in taking action against any civil servant in accordance with the prescribed legal framework if they are found guilty,” he said in a statement today.

Shamsul said the principle of rejecting abuse of power, corruption and governance misconduct is crucial to ensuring that the credibility of the public service is not tainted, while preventing actions that could erode public trust in the nation’s core institutions.

He said integrity must remain the cornerstone of effective public service delivery, including efforts to reduce leakages in national revenue and to safeguard national security and sovereignty in line with the aspirations of the Madani government.

Over the past year, a series of firm actions by enforcement agencies, including the MACC has demonstrated the government’s commitment to strengthening the integrity of the public service.

The MACC has previously launched several high-profile operations involving senior officers from various ministries and agencies, including cases related to financial management, procurement and abuse of power at the highest management level.

The Madani government under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has also repeatedly stressed that integrity is a central pillar in efforts to restore public and investor confidence.

In several previous statements, Anwar emphasised that firm action, regardless of rank or position, is necessary to ensure governance is not undermined by corruption or leakages.

- Bernama