Good ties between public and govt servants vital for growth
KUALA LUMPUR: Better economic results, like higher income per capita, lower infant mortality and higher literacy can be achieved only if public servants maintain good relations with the public, Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM) president Datuk Dr Mohd Tap Salleh said.
“Integrity and good governance are not just about mere compliance with laws but also about values, self-discipline and a culture of accountability among public servants and the rakyat.
“It demands the consent and full involvement of all citizens,” said Dr Mohd Tap when launching the Commonwealth Asia Regional Programme themed “Advancing Good Governance: Learning from Successful Experiences and Good Practices in Malaysia” at Berjaya Times Square here yesterday.
Thirty senior officials from Bangladesh, Brunei, India, the Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and host Malaysia are attending the five-day programme jointly organised by the IIM, Economic Planning Unit and the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation .
Dr Mohd Tap said those working in the public sector must be people-centric, adding that the 1Malaysia concept was a good example of a people-focused policy as it emphasised that all Malaysians had a common stake in the country and its socio-economic development.
“It is a dynamic strategy to fight poverty and, at the same time, recognises everyone is important in his or her contributions and needs,” he said.
Dr Mohd Tap said no country had all the answers to issues of governance and integrity, adding that the IIM had much to learn from sharing experiences and collaborating with Commonwealth countries in its efforts to raise integrity in the public and private sectors in Malaysia.