KUCHING: The culture of staying silent in the face of misconduct in the workplace must be put to an end to ensure a public service that is built on integrity and transparency.

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman), Datuk Dr. Juanda Jaya, stressed that all civil servants must have the courage to speak up and report any wrongdoing without fear or favour.

“We must also reject the culture of silence that allows misconduct to go unchecked. No matter how robust our processes are, or how sophisticated our systems may be, if the individuals involved lack honesty, ethics, and integrity, those systems will ultimately fail.

“Misconduct is like a cancer. If left untreated, and if it reaches a critical stage, there is little that can be done. That’s why it’s important to act early. In every agency, if problematic officers are identified from the start, decisive action must be taken,” he said.

He made these remarks during the Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Integrity and Innovation Day celebration held here on Wednesday.

Touching on the subject of reporting, he reminded that negative reports should not be seen as a weakness of a department.

Datuk Dr. Juanda highlighted that transparency in reporting, particularly on environmental issues, is crucial in fostering public trust in the government.

“Being transparent in any kind of reporting allows the public to engage and participate in preservation efforts.

“Accurate information builds confidence in the government and ensures that all our actions are carried out with integrity and accountability,” he added.

Also present were Sarawak NREB Controller of Environmental Quality, Datu Jack Liam, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) General Manager Abang Arabi Abang Aimran, Sarawak Ombudsman Chief Administrator, Wan Mohamad Wan Drahman, along with other distinguished guests. -UKASnews