Don't sweep weaknesses in governance under the carpet, says chief secretary

Weaknesses in governance that affect national interests and leakage in government spending require attention and need to be resolved and not swept under the carpet, says Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali.

He said weaknesses in governance arose as there was room and opportunity for the abuse of power, corruption, misappropriation, and administrative weaknesses.

Opportunities for corruption could also arise due to weaknesses in legislation and internal control systems, he added.

For example, he said, the delay in service delivery due to bureaucratic red tape would open opportunities for corruption as clients would want quicker delivery.

"Therefore, the systems and procedures that are identified to be inefficient and create opportunities should be changed and improved," he said in his speech at the national-Level Governance, Integrity, and Anti-Corruption Research Conference closing ceremony in Sepang yesterday.
 
His speech was read out by the Public Service Department deputy director-general (development) Azhar Ahmad.

Zuki also said the government was committed to ensuring that the implementation of the national development agenda is free from any element of corruption, misappropriation and power abuse.

"Government administration without corruption starts from good governance and high integrity," he said.