Low: JITN acts as a catalyst for change

New integrity dept to harness right minds to work together and find solutions

KUALA LUMPUR: Those against the setting up of the National Integrity and Good Governance Department (JITN) may have been misinformed about its role, says Datuk Paul Low.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said the new department would be leading government agencies as a “catalyst for change”.

“In time, I will clear these misconceptions. They do not understand the rationale behind the setting up of JITN,” he told reporters after opening the Human Rights Day celebration here yesterday.

JITN, which was officially set up on Nov 1, had received objections from prominent civil society and human rights leaders.

They include Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim.

Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad had also called it redundant, saying the budget for JITN was better used to empower existing law enforcement agencies.

But Low stressed that JITN aimed to alter mindsets, procedures, regulations and legislations to better uphold integrity and human rights in administration.

“We are looking into developing a group of civil servants with certain capacities and skills to help us bring together agencies that have a tendency to operate as silos.

“Civil servants with relational engagement abilities will be adept in dealing and hosting dialogues with non-governmental organisations.

“Those with the competency and expertise still need technical knowledge and JITN will be able to guide them by drawing from the examples of the United Nations and other countries,” he said.

Low added that JITN would be able to gain an overall perspective of things and anticipate the conse- quences, causes and benefits of certain regulations or actions.

“Some solutions can only be found if we work together, so the JITN is aimed at harnessing the right minds to work together and find solutions.

“Once we analyse the solutions, we will propose them to the Cabinet for approval,” he said.

Low said JITN would then organise a team to ensure all these proposals were put into place and executed accordingly.