Anti-graft pledge: MACC chief ‘genuinely concerned’ about Penang
Speaking after Penang government officials signed the IBR today, Dzulkifli Ahmad says he would have been embarrassed if his home state had not taken the pledge.
Pointing out that he was the one who had come up with the idea for the pledge, which is also known by its Malay initials of IBR, Dzulkifli said he had felt slighted when his own home state appeared skeptical of it.
“I am very concerned about Penang as I was born here. So, I have high expectations of my home state. I am from Kepala Batas and I am a Penangite.
“I am embarrassed if my own state does not take the pledge,” he told reporters at Komtar today.
Today, Dzulkifli witnessed 67 Penang government officials, Pakatan Harapan state assemblypersons and MPs take the pledge, led by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Lim and the Penang officials recited the standard IBR oath prepared by MACC, with an additional 10-point Penang government integrity pledge.
Noticeably absent were assemblypersons and MPs from Umno, who later told FMT that they were not aware of the event as they had not received an official invitation.
Penang opposition leader Jahara Hamid said due to this, they would hold another event involving all Umno assemblypersons.
Meanwhile, Dzulkifli said the pledge was meant for top state administrators such as the chief minister and his state executive council members.
He added that MACC did not insist on others being present, and that this was up to the respective state governments.
Dzulkifli, who had previously criticised the Penang government for not signing the pledge, said he was glad that it had now done so, adding that he “can’t wait” for Selangor to follow suit.
Selangor has reportedly indicated that it will sign the pledge as well, but has not specified a date.
Lim previously said MACC had not officially informed the state government of the IBR, hence it was not aware of such a pledge.
Dzulkifli said MACC did not mind Penang adding its own integrity pledges to the IBR as long the original MACC version of the pledge was taken.
In his speech earlier today, Dzulkifli reminded those signing the pledge that MACC was “keeping a close watch” on all of them.
He said the oath was not merely lip service but a personal commitment to working towards a corruption-free government.
Later, Lim said pledges would not be effective if there was no political will to act on those who robbed the country and its people.
“That is why the Penang government insisted on having 10 integrity steps included and ensuring there is concrete action taken,” he said.
What’s so great about Penang, asks MACC chief
Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram