JITU, PSD prepare guidelines and instructions on sponsorship for civil servants - Low

The Integrity and Governance Committee (JITU) under the Prime Minister''s Department and Public Service Department (PSD) will prepare a set of guidelines and instructions on sponsorship by the private sector for civil servants to curb conflict of interest.

Minister in the Prime Minister''s Department Datuk Paul Low, who is responsible for governance, integrity and human rights, said the matter was identified following the implementation of Corruption Risk Management (CRM) in four ministries and agencies, namely the Health Ministry, Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, Immigration Department and Melaka state government.

He cited the study tour for government officers to look at or 'survey' medical equipment, devices or medicines, which is fully paid by the suppliers, as constituting conflict of interest.

"We have already identified the problems...we want to stop that. Therefore, we have to come out with some guidelines and instructions.

"I hope these will be implemented as soon as possible," he told a press conference after chairing the 9th National JITU meeting, here, Thursday.

JITU aims to discuss and monitor solutions for the main issues identified by the Integrity units established across federal ministries and state governments over the past years.

The JITU secretariat is led by the Integrity and Governance Division (BITU), a unit in the Prime Minister''s Department, which reports to the minister.

Low said the Health Ministry and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry also identified common issues on the disbursement of grants to non-governmental organisations.

"Therefore, monitoring is important to ensure the grants are used effectively," he said.

Meanwhile, Low said a committee comprising multi-agency experts was established to look into the matter.

"The committee with expertise from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, PSD, Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) and Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) will advise, from the issues raised, on how to better govern and improve governance and the work process," he said.

On CRM, Low said it was aimed at helping to identify corruption risk areas by prioritising and outlining mitigating and remedial steps which needed to be taken together with timelines and responsibilities.

"We will require all the ministries and agencies to conduct CRM. This is to identify issues of high risk and we will find the remedial measures. If they are policy matters, we will change and I will propose changes to the Cabinet. We will improve the process as well," he said.

He also commended the Melaka state government for conducting CRM for its eight agencies and presenting their action plan to address the main risk areas.

On yesterday's meeting, Low said among the matters discussed was the implementation of robust integrity pacts for all government projects which would allow for suitably qualified external monitors to be appointed from within and outside the government, to monitor the progress and to identify potential governance risks in government projects.

The meeting also endorsed the findings of the Community Integrity Building pilot project conducted at three sites -- Subang Jaya (Selangor), Bandar Melaka (Melaka) and Ajil (Terengganu) - aimed at empowering citizens to monitor projects undertaken by the local councils. -- Bernama