Three Johor Bharu areas pioneer empowerment of community integrity development
Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) Mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad said the programme, in collaboration with the Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM), will involve the communities in Bandar Baru Uda, Bandar Dato Onn and Desa Cemerlang.
He said the programme, among other things, aims to encourage collaboration between local authorities (PBT) and the community in forming an ethical and resilient community against corruption and abuse of power.
'Among the programme's goals and objectives is to increase public awareness and sensitivity to integrity issues occurring in their environment.
'With close cooperation with these communities, it is hoped that it will also improve the quality of services at MBJB itself,' he said at a press conference here today.
He said the community can channel complaints, including through the MBJB Public Complaints Management System (SISPAA) which is an online medium for managing complaints, inquiries, and suggestions from the public regarding the delivery system and services of MBJB.
Mohd Haffiz also said MBJB is always committed to improving governance and transparency in service delivery.
'However, we realise that this responsibility cannot be shouldered alone. It requires collaboration, not only among government officials but also with the local community.
'Through this CIB, a platform for dialogue between communities can be established, in addition to identifying the real challenges at the grassroots level related to integrity and building solutions together based on integrity and shared ownership,' he added.
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New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Legal framework for whistleblowers too rigid, says integrity institute chief [WATCH]
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New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Rebuilding public trust is key, says new integrity institute chief [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: For the newly appointed Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM) president and chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Ramdzan Daud, the fight for national integrity begins with an uncomfortable truth — rebuilding public trust is no small feat. Lack of trust, he said, makes it extremely difficult for any institution to function effectively. Speaking to the New Straits Times in his first interview as IIM head, Ramdzan, who joined the institute on July 23, said public confidence in the system hinged on more than just slogans or regulatory targets. With more than 38 years' experience in the police force, including as Special Branch director, he brings a practitioner's lens to an institute often dismissed as symbolic. "The government is serious about integrity, and we're trying to strengthen it across the board," he said, thanking Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and the IIM board for placing their trust in him. "It's about meaningful service delivery. As an officer, yes, you have your core responsibilities — fighting crime, upholding the law. But what the public wants to see is more than that. "They want to see officers go the extra mile. Present, engaged and willing to help even in small, everyday situations," he said. Today, Ramdzan is focused on embedding integrity education from the earliest stages, with a dedicated preschool module currently in development and set for pilot implementation next year. "We (IIM) are working with multiple ministries, government agencies and relevant non-governmental organisations, developing a module for nurseries and preschools. Once finalised and approved, it will be used as a national guideline," he said. This initiative complements the institute's Integrity Youth Ambassador (IYA) programme launched in 2024 — a strategic effort to cultivate integrity-driven leadership among youth. Targeted at students aged 16 and above with demonstrated leadership potential, the IYA programme offers a platform for the students to become positive change agents through structured training, mentorship and community-based engagement in ethics, good governance and civic responsibility. "If you don't start instilling integrity early, you can't expect people to grasp its meaning later in life," Ramdzan said. Beyond policy reforms and institutional safeguards, he said, building integrity must be a whole-of-society effort. He cited past abuse cases, including one involving a child, that only came to light because of concerned neighbours. "If the neighbours hadn't spoken up, that child might not have survived. Everyone plays a role in building a culture of integrity; it's not just the government."
The Star
23-07-2025
- The Star
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