By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Dec 4 — Civil servants must have the courage to expose and take appropriate action against corruption, breaches of trust and abuse of power within their respective organisations, said Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.
Calling out the tendency of organisations to shield their own wrongdoings, Ayob warned that such actions harm the credibility and effectiveness of the institution.
He repeatedly urged leaders to prioritise integrity by addressing misconduct openly and decisively.
“In civil service, the usual practice is not to ‘membuka pekung di dada’ (a Malay idiom meaning to avoid exposing one's dark secrets). Internal investigations and disciplinary actions are often conducted discreetly. But this is not enough.
“Leaders must have the courage to act decisively and address mistakes, even when it involves individuals close to them.
“The fear of losing popularity should never deter them if they truly aim to drive meaningful changes,” he said during the Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) Corporate Governance Symposium 2024 held at the Courtyard by Marriott Setia Alam, here, today.
Ayob also criticised the culture of promoting individuals based on personal interests rather than merit, highlighting what he termed as the “golf culture” among high-ranking civil servants.
“This culture of playing golf to gain promotions, along with the abuse of power by certain individuals, undermines the integrity of our institutions.
“Often, people close to them are promoted rather than those who are most deserving,” he said, adding that civil servants must prioritise professionalism and fairness in their duties to avoid the erosion of institutional integrity.
He also pointed out that corruption in procurement has led to the government losing up to 30 per cent of the contract value to wastages, with the country losing an average of RM40 billion to RM60 billion to wastages each year.
Ayob also cited records by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission showing that the country has lost RM227 billion from 2018 to 2023 due to corruption.
The symposium held by MBI today is part of the state-owned firm’s efforts to promote and uphold good corporate governance, aligning with Selangor’s goal of achieving sustainable development and ensuring fiscal responsibility across the state.
Among the highlights of the day include a presentation by the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) and a forum discussing the challenges and roles of a board of directors in dealing with conflicts of interest.
