Abang Johari presents the SEDC Integrity Award to a recipient. Flanking him are Abdul Aziz and Abdul Hadi (left). — Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: Sarawak ought to emulate Estonia in terms of how the country instils transparency and accountability in its people, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He points out that as the most technologically advanced country in the world, Estonia is also an open country whereby technology increases digital transparency.

“Estonia is a very small country and is open because of technology that is transparent. Though it was once under communism, today it has become a gem in Europe and also very strong due to its transparent government and technology.

“I think this is a lesson to us here in the state for if we practise the culture of transparency, Sarawak can be strong in this region. This culture must permeate from the top to the bottom,” he said at Sarawak Economic Development Corporation’s (SEDC) Integrity Day, held here yesterday.

Commending SEDC for making integrity a part of its culture, the Chief Minister attributed this as the reason behind the corporation’s success.

Meanwhile, SEDC chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain said for this year’s Integrity Day programme, the corporation and its subsidiaries conducted a number of activities for all the staff.

He said the activities aimed at reinforcing SEDC’s commitment in combating malpractices at the workplace, ridding the abuse of position, and most importantly, eradicating corruption with SEDC and its group of companies.

“It is our fervent hope that by organising our Integrity Day regularly together with other related activities or initiatives, we can reaffirm our joint commitment and determination in getting rid of corrupt practices in our workplace.

“This is also to boost good corporate governance culture, which SEDC has always strongly advocated among its staff members.”

To further cement SEDC’s integrity and good governance values, Abdul Aziz said the corporation had adopted and established its own Integrity Unit on Aug 1 last year, in line with the Sarawak Integrity Circulars with regards to the establishment of Anti-Corruption Committee as well as the establishment of Integrity Unit.

Later at the event, Abang Johari witnessed the signing of the Integrity Pledge which was signed by SEDC’s top management, and also presented SEDC Integrity Awards to recipients from the corporation and its subsidiaries.

Among those present at the event were Minister in Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip; Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; and SEDC general manager Abdul Hadi Abdul Kadir.