Exposure of corruption cases involving civil servants should serve as a warning

The recent spate of exposures on corruption cases involving public servants should serve as a warning for others to carry out their duties and responsibilities with integrity.

Public Service Department director-general Datuk Seri Zainal Rahim Seman said continuous action by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should not weaken the spirit among the civil servants because the efforts was to ensure the public sector remained clean and free from immoral activities.

"MACC's action is to ensure we (civil servants) are aware that we need to uphold the principles of transparency and integrity in carrying out our duties and it requires the cooperation of all parties.

"Treat this as a thrust for civil servants to continue our dedication in performing our duty to ensure Malaysia's aspiration to become an advanced nation by 2050 is achieved," he told reporters after the closing ceremony of the Malaysian Government Servants' Welfare and Sports Council (Maksak) Sports Carnival here Sunday.

He added that the case-by-case exposure of corruption involving the public sector was perceived as opening up space for the relevant departments to examine and improve all aspects, including streamlining procedures for civil servants from time to time.

When asked on society's declining perception on public sector due to its involvement in corruption, Zainal Rahim said that the civil servants should use it as a reason not to get involved in immoral activities.

However, he said, the issue would not interfere with the department's efforts to fulfill Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's aspiration to make 2017 as a year of delivery for civil servants.

"Civil servants are now highly motivated to perform our duty as recommended by the prime minister and we are determined to be more committed in discharging our tasks," he said.

Meanwhile, commenting on the issue of public university lecturers' salary that had allegedly remained unchanged, Zainal Rahim said the scheme was made in accordance with the Malaysian Remuneration Scheme system.

However, he said, the department would examine the issues raised by the parties involved and the factors that could resolve the problems.

Today, a local newspaper reported the scheme for lecturers had never been reviewed in the past 15 years despite the fact that 35,000 academics were currently involved with various responsibilities including trying to generate income for the university. -- Bernama