KUCHING: A total of 555 officers from the professional, management and support groups of the

Ministry of Local Government and Housing and agencies under it took and signed their

Corruption Free Pledge in a ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of the State Legislative Assembly

in Petra Jaya, here, yesterday.

The number comprised 200 officers from Housing Development Corporation (HDC), 180 officers

from the Drainage and Irrigation Department of Kuching and Samarahan Divisions, 160 from the

Ministry of Local Government and Housing and 15 officers from the Sewerage Services

Department, Sarawak.

The pledge-taking ceremony was led by Chief Executive Officer of Housing Development

Corporation, Mohamad Asman bin Ahmad and witnessed by Minister of Local Government and

Housing, Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian; Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Local Government and

Housing, Bakrie Zaini, Chairman of Housing Development Corporation, Datuk Dr Abang Haji

Abdul Rauf Abang Haji Zen, Director of Drainage and Irrigation Department Sarawak, Chok Moi

Soon; Director of Sewerage Services Department Sarawak, Ir Lau Hieng Ung and MACC

Community Education Unit’s Assistant Director, Assistant Commissioner Chang Ching.

Dr Sim in his speech said the corruption free pledge initiative introduced by MACC would pave

the way for greater transparency, accountability, strong governance and in promoting a

corruption-free culture that transcends all ministries and government departments throughout

the country.

“Therefore, the signing of corruption-free pledge and public confidence toward the government

in the eradication of corruption and enhancing awareness among public officers to fight

corruption and rid get of corrupt practices in the society.

“Integrity protects us from any misconduct with the public, steers us away from misuse of power

and bribery and strengthens integrity management. It will create a good administration and earn

the trust and satisfaction of our customers, which is the rakyat.

“I hope more agencies under my ministry will express their zero corruption commitment and will

take the initiative to voluntarily sign the pledge and at the same time create good partnership

with MACC,” he said.

Bakrie Zaini in his speech disclosed that to date, 16 of the 23 local authorities under the Ministry

had taken the Corruption Free Pledge and the rest would be in February and March this year.