Transcription
[Music] This module will explain the background of SPRM as a leading agency in corruption prevention. This module will also explain several other key agencies that play a role in implementing corruption prevention efforts, enhancing integrity, and governance. Our country is plagued by many corruption cases. Therefore, changes need to be made from various perspectives: individual, corporate, and governmental, to curb the worrying increase in cases. Thus, good governance must be developed and practiced well by all parties to preserve the country and the continuity of civilization's development, in line with the guidance in Surah Ar-Ra'd, verse 11, as shown on this slide. Good governance is a form of managing the country and society based on the people's interests. The authorities and society sit together to discuss the problems faced together and simultaneously plan together for what is to be done and accomplished in the future. There are many types of good governance practiced at various levels, such as groups, organizations, government, and individuals. However, in this discussion, we will focus on corporate and human governance. Examples of human governance include behaving well and responsibly when interacting with God, fellow creatures, the environment, and others. Ethical principles within an individual guide their actions and behavior. Ethics are moral values and norms that serve as a guide for an individual or a group in regulating their actions or behavior. If we have good ethical principles, we will tend to behave well or engage in good activities. If someone has bad ethical principles, they will tend to behave badly and engage in bad activities. An individual's ethics are influenced by many factors, including cultural, religious, environmental, governmental institutional, and governance system factors within a country. These factors will determine an individual's integrity. Someone will practice corruption because they lack integrity, financial hardship, financial problems, peer influence, and environmental pressure cannot be used as excuses for someone to practice corruption. The origin of integrity from the Oxford Dictionary, this word, rooted in the Latin adjective "integer," was originally used to describe the wholeness of a structure or building. In 1659, this vocabulary was expanded to differentiate the concepts of right and wrong in human life. Another definition of integrity is the quality of honesty and high moral principles held by an individual. Integrity is also defined as the level of consistency between the moral values held by an individual and the reflection of their behavior, words, or actions. An analogy for self-assessment of integrity is to imagine a situation at a traffic light intersection at 2 AM when the light is red, and no one is there except yourself. Individual integrity means the alignment between what is said and what is done with moral principles, ethics, and laws, and self-interest and public interest. Organizational integrity, on the other hand, is reflected in the formulation and implementation of codes of ethics, customer charters, systems, and work processes, as well as compliance with best practices. The organization's code of ethics is emphasized, repeated, and internalized by the organization's members until it becomes a culture of integrity. Public servants, on the other hand, mean carrying out the trust and power given for the public interest, not misusing it for personal interests. Prioritize public interest when conflicts arise. The same concept can be applied in the context of being a student, lecturer, hostel resident, community member, and always safeguarding public interest without taking advantage for personal gain. The definition by the National Integrity Plan (PIN) before the National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) 2019-2023. PIN is the government's policy related to integrity and anti-corruption. NACP 2019-2023 has superseded PIN. The definition of the Malaysian Integrity Institute is more detailed regarding integrity. It refers to all good qualities that an individual or organization should possess. C.S. Lewis was a famous writer from the United Kingdom. He was also an academic at Oxford University and Cambridge University. C.S. Lewis's definition is simple: doing the right thing even when no one is watching. This definition emphasizes the principles that an individual should have: the principle of always doing the right thing at any time or anywhere, not being influenced by bad influences in our surroundings. Integrity is often associated with high moral principles that reflect each individual's personality, regardless of whether they are seen or not. The willingness to carry out a task "without fear or favor" as a public servant is a firm stance that must be internalized and strongly held by every public servant. Generally, try to think for a moment: What is your view on the level of integrity in Malaysian society? This social experiment was conducted in Malaysia by students from the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) to test our society when a mat rempit (a type of motorcyclist) was dropped, meaning intentionally dropped. The conclusion from this experiment is that the level of integrity in our society is still low. Are the actions that occur on the next slide ethical or not? This is an example of integrity that had to be violated due to desperate circumstances. A person can do anything, including intending to return the money when the time comes, but they have already challenged their self-integrity. If this case is reported and someone investigates, action can be taken, regardless of any excuse, because the ends do not justify the means. Life should not be equated with crime. In this case, at least this individual can be forgiven if they inform about their actions of taking mosque money. They promised to return the amount taken. The amount was small and reasonable, with the reason being that they took the money. The impact of the decline in integrity is from the individual, leadership, systems, and procedures, culture, and structure, and institutions. The self becomes the most important defense against all temptations and tests. The self becomes the most important defense against all temptations and tests. Humans commit acts of lack of integrity because they succumb to their desires and life's tests. Leaders must exhibit the best example, "top from the top." Leaders become role models for organization members. Do not be like a crab teaching its offspring to walk straight, meaning a leader who tells their subordinates to be integrous when they themselves are not. There is a Chinese proverb that says the badness or rottenness of a fish starts from its head. A weak system creates opportunities for acts of lack of integrity. To strengthen the integrity of the system within an organization, it must be able to prevent corruption, embezzlement, and abuse of power. For example, procurement management processes that lack checks and balances must be improved. Bad culture can damage an organization. Practice a culture of integrity within the organization. Comply with all applicable regulations. Cultivate doing the right thing even when no one is watching. For example, obeying no-smoking rules in eateries, obeying road rules such as signaling to turn, office rules such as dress code during meal times, and others. A messy and outdated structure can weaken systems and procedures, thus creating opportunities for corruption, embezzlement, and fraud. Factors contributing to acts of corruption and abuse of power can be divided into internal and external factors. Internal factors include lack of integrity, greed, desire for recognition, lavish lifestyle. External factors include life pressure, contractor demands or persuasion, contractor tactics to befriend certain people, offers of bribes. The following slides are some interesting cases related to integrity and governance. These real cases can serve as lessons for all parties, not intended to shame or expose the disgrace of any party. Integrity not only affects the perpetrator but also the victim and third parties. In a case reported in the Auditor-General's Report 2012, a fertilizer officer was dishonest by embezzling fertilizer subsidies meant for eligible farmers. It was reported that the fertilizer recipients were not from the eligible farmer group. Integrity is also challenged in obtaining jobs and promotions. In an SPRM investigation case, a former factory manager was fined after pleading guilty to forging documents to apply for a job. The case of the State Veterinary Director, Datuk Dr. Nor Soraya Noram, was charged under Section 471 of the Penal Code on January 15, 2013. The Sessions Court acquitted the accused on February 21, 2014. The High Court overturned the Sessions Court's decision and imposed a four-year prison sentence and a fine of RM10,000 on January 29, 2015. The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction. The accused was sentenced to two years in prison for each charge and a fine of RM10,000. This case involved an officer from the Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA). However, the accused in this case was reported to have been acquitted by the Court. The officer's actions were highly unethical as they took advantage of those in need, namely poor single mothers. The case of the Assistant Property Manager and Personnel of the Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA). This case was charged on November 18, 2014, in the Alor Setar Sessions Court, Kedah. An example of an act that is not only unethical but also illegal. Imagine how many individuals had successfully obtained degrees by buying them before this case was exposed. This incident occurred in 2011. The charge for the above case is under Section 471. Integrity in religious institutions is also not bound by any means. Various backgrounds are involved in issues of integrity violations and corruption. If we look at this example, the accused was the CEO of the Penang Zakat Center, accused of embezzling zakat funds. The case attracted public attention because an individual holding a position in a noble religious institution should not be involved in integrity violation issues. However, humans, regardless of background, can have their dignity bought when it involves money and property. The accused was charged under Section 408 of the Penal Code. The lesson from this case is that when such tests arise, only integrity becomes an individual's defense. We must know the level of corruption risk in the workplace. For the next point, if you work in this sector or field, do you have a high risk of falling into corruption and abuse of power? Therefore, you need to be more careful. Fields of work related to contract and tender management are highly risky because you deal with contractors and suppliers who try to obtain projects by any means. You also have certain powers that can be abused for your and your family's benefit. Fields of work related to procurement and supply management. Fields of work related to procurement and supply management are similar. You have certain powers that can be abused or embezzled for your and your family's benefit. Fields of work related to enforcement and supervision are also risky due to the power and discretion you possess. You have the power to take action against those who violate regulations. You can also release or not take action if you wish. Fields of work related to office property and asset management are also at risk of misuse of office property or assets. You can manipulate office property and asset records for your benefit. You have the potential to misuse office property or assets for yourself. Integrity is not just a word; integrity must be cultivated. Countries like New Zealand and Finland have made integrity a national culture. A culture of integrity must start from the smallest actions to the biggest matters. For example, being punctual, not stealing, not taking others' rights, and always respecting others. Cleanse your heart, guard your behavior, avoid doing the wrong things. Children are the future. The responsibility of shaping integrity must start from home. Parents must exhibit good speech and actions to their children. Parents cannot abdicate the responsibility of shaping their children's character solely to teachers. All religions teach their followers to practice noble values. No religion permits wrongdoings such as corruption, embezzlement, and abuse of power. Religion does not prevent one from becoming rich. What is important is that wealth is not obtained through wrong means. Every individual must strive to earn a halal livelihood. This illustration depicts the reality of our society. We only look at halal or haram in terms of physical food. Income obtained illegally is haram. If wealth is obtained through criminal means such as corruption, that wealth can be confiscated according to the law. The government has implemented various initiatives to enhance the integrity of public servants. The main issue in public service is not the absence of regulations or laws, but the main issue is non-compliance with these regulations and laws. Our country has too many regulations and laws on various matters. Many laws are not or are less enforced. For example, regulations regarding smoking in public places, littering, using OKU parking, and so on. Among the important initiatives introduced by the government, the most recent is the Special Committee on Corruption (JKKMar), chaired by the Prime Minister. The Corruption Committee (JKK) is chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Government. The National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) 2019-2023 is the national policy related to anti-corruption. This five-year plan must be driven by all agencies, not just SPRM alone. The latest government policy on anti-corruption, which replaces NACP, is the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2029 (NACS). This five-year plan must be driven by all agencies, not just SPRM alone. The latest government policy on anti-corruption, which replaces NACP, is the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2029 (NACS). [Music]