PUTRAJAYA: Swift and robust disciplinary action is needed to break the long-standing cycle of corruption and integrity breaches within the public sector, says Tan Sri Dr Ismail Bakar.

The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) chairman said misconduct, particularly involving corruption, has persisted for decades due to a “culture passed down over generations”.

“Why is this still happening after 20 or 30 years? It is because the behaviour is being inherited.

“People learn from others and the practice continues unless we decisively stop it,” he said in an interview recently.

Ismail stressed that firm leadership and commitment from top management are crucial in addressing the issue, including willingness to take swift action against offenders.

He said departments should not wait for court proceedings to conclude before acting against personnel found to have committed serious misconduct.

“If there is strong evidence, terminate their service immediately.

“Court action is separate and disciplinary action should be taken without delay,” he said.

Delays in disciplinary measures, he noted, often weaken enforcement and reduce the deterrent effect because cases can drag on for years without resolution.

“When action is delayed, justice is delayed.

“By the time a decision is made, perceptions change and sympathy may arise, which complicates enforcement,” he added.

Ismail acknowledged that fear of legal repercussions and sympathy for affected officers sometimes cause departments to hesitate in acting decisively.

He stressed that the government has legal representation and should not shy away from enforcing rules.

On public complaints, he said a significant number of reported misconduct cases previously went unresolved or faced prolonged delays.

“Some agencies respond by saying action is being taken but even after three to five years, there is no outcome.

“That is not acceptable,” he said, adding that clear timelines must be set for investigations and disciplinary decisions.

Following recent public attention and reminders issued by the commission, Ismail said there has been some improvement with regard to responses from the agencies.

On the role of social media, Ismail said while whistleblowing through informal channels can help expose wrongdoing, it also carries risks.

“It is a good effort but without proper channels, we cannot guarantee protection for the whistleblower,” he said, adding that this could result in repercussions such as harassment.

He encouraged the public to use formal reporting mechanisms to ensure both the integrity of information and the safety of informants.

Looking ahead, he expressed hope that integrity would become a deeply rooted culture rather than merely a compliance requirement.

“We want integrity to be embedded in every individual, not just something done to fulfil rules,” he said.

He also reiterated the importance of having no exceptions in enforcement, stressing that all parties must be subject to the same standards.

“To restore public confidence, there must be firm laws and strong political will.

“No one should be above the law,” he added.

SUMBER : The Star

PUTRAJAYA: The setting up of a Malaysian Ombudsman is not merely a rebranding of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) but an enhancement of accountability and governance, says its chairman Tan Sri Dr Ismail Bakar (pic).

“We are not just changing the name but also enhancing the content and structure to ensure it is more effective.

He stressed that the establishment of an Ombudsman is crucial to strengthen oversight and address systemic weaknesses in enforcement agencies, owing to limitations under the current legal framework that restrict the commission’s effectiveness.

“One of the key obstacles lies within our own legal framework under the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) Act, which limits our authority.

“While we can make recommendations, enforcement agencies are not obligated to act on them and this affects the effectiveness of our decisions,” Ismail said.

Among the proposed improvements is the removal of exemptions that currently shield certain agencies from investigation, he added.

“Everyone must be treated equally. There should be no protection for any agency.

“If wrongdoing occurs, it must be investigated fairly,” he said, adding that any entity receiving government funds or contracts will fall under its jurisdiction.

He said the new body is expected to merge the Public Complaints Bureau with the EAIC, enabling it to address both misconduct and maladministration within government agencies more effectively.

Ismail revealed that draft legislation for the Ombudsman could be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat as early as June this year, with the possibility of implementation beginning in stages by 2027 if the Bill is passed.

Despite its structural limitations, he said the EAIC has continued to play a significant role in promoting anti- corruption awareness and cultivating a culture of integrity since its establishment in 2011.

Marking its 15th anniversary today, Ismail said that his focus is to ensure that the EAIC functions independently as an effective oversight body.

“Our role is not merely to monitor or report misconduct but to eradicate it and instil comprehensive integrity in every enforcement decision.

“We want the EAIC to be the first and last resort where every complaint is adjudicated transparently and without prejudice,” he said.

He noted that every ringgit allocated by the government must bring real change, ensuring that every grievance receives a precise and effective resolution.

This approach, he said, is also aimed at assisting agencies improve their internal systems and building public trust without compromising operational effectiveness.

“With this direction, the EAIC does not exist just ‘for the sake of existing’ or as government propaganda, but as a functional body that provides direct benefits to the community and builds confidence in our enforcement agencies,” Ismail said.

He cautioned that recent investigations involving agencies such as the Immigration Department and the Environment Department indicated deeper and systemic issues.

“What we are seeing is not isolated incidents but structural problems.

“In some cases, misconduct has become normalised and even organised, which is very concerning,” he said.

He added that strong commitment from top leadership, including ministers and department heads, is essential to address these challenges effectively.

On the broader issue, Ismail said integrity remains the foundation of national progress.

“Without integrity, a country cannot move forward.

“A lack of integrity leads to corruption and, ultimately, a failed state,” he added.

He also warned that misuse of public funds could erode public trust and potentially lead to greater demands for accountability from taxpayers.

Although there have been some improvements following EAIC recommendations, Ismail acknowledged that the overall level of integrity remains unsatisfactory.

“I am not satisfied with the current level of integrity. There is still much room for improvement.

“Integrity cannot be partial and must be absolute,” he said.

He added that the public must also be nurtured to be law-abiding citizens, where respect for the law becomes a shared societal value.

Building a culture of integrity also requires continuous effort at all levels of society, he said.

“It must be cultivated as a culture, from top leadership down to the grassroots. Only then can we achieve lasting change,” he said.

SUMBER : The Star

PUTRAJAYA – Amalan rasuah dalam sesetengah agensi penguatkuasaan didakwa bukan lagi melibatkan individu semata-mata, sebaliknya telah berkembang menjadi kegiatan berunsur sindiket yang berakar dalam sistem.

Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Integriti Agensi Penguatkuasaan (EAIC), Tan Sri Dr Ismail Bakar berkata, dapatan siasatan terhadap beberapa agensi menunjukkan wujudnya masalah serius yang melibatkan struktur organisasi.

Menurut beliau, apa yang berlaku di Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (JIM) dan Jabatan Alam Sekitar misalnya bukan kes terpencil, sebaliknya melibatkan beberapa kes lain sebelum ini.

“Saya melihat dua agensi ini sebagai masalah integriti dan rasuah yang meresap ke dalam sistem,” katanya dalam temu bual khas bersama media baru-baru ini.

Beliau berkata, hasil pemerhatian mendapati terdapat kelemahan struktur yang memerlukan pembaikan menyeluruh terhadap sistem dan prosedur operasi standard (SOP).

Katanya, penambahbaikan tidak boleh dilakukan secara 'kosmetik' atau sekadar pemindahan pegawai, sebaliknya perlu melibatkan perubahan keseluruhan.

“Bukan ditambah baik sekadar memindah sana sini, tetapi keseluruhan perlu diubah,” katanya.

Mengulas lanjut, Ismail menegaskan bahawa SOP sedia ada sebenarnya mencukupi, namun kegagalan mematuhi prosedur menjadi punca utama kelemahan.

Sebagai contoh, beliau membangkitkan isu dalam kes JIM yang melibatkan penyalahgunaan kuasa berkaitan visa perubatan.

“Macam mana seorang pegawai itu boleh bawa cop keluar... itu satu benda (kesalahan) yang berat. Kalau ada SOP tetapi tak ikut, itu jadi masalah,” katanya.

Menurut beliau, keadaan itu mencerminkan kegagalan kawalan dalaman yang tidak sepatutnya berlaku dalam agensi penguatkuasaan.

Lebih membimbangkan, katanya, salah laku tersebut bukan dilakukan secara bersendirian tetapi melibatkan kumpulan dalam organisasi yang boleh dikatakan sebagai sindiket.

Beliau berkata, kewujudan rangkaian dalaman itu menunjukkan berlaku elemen saling melindungi dalam kalangan pelaku.

“Seolah-olah macam awak lindungi saya, saya lindungi awak,” katanya.

Menurutnya, situasi tersebut menjadikan perbuatan rasuah seakan-akan normal dan sukar dibendung.

“Cari duit secara haram itu sudah jadi budaya,” jelas beliau.

Ismail menegaskan, keadaan itu berpunca daripada masalah struktur yang perlu ditangani secara menyeluruh bermula dari peringkat atasan.

Beliau turut menekankan kepentingan komitmen kepimpinan dalam memastikan tindakan diambil terhadap salah laku yang berlaku.

Katanya, setiap peringkat termasuk menteri, ketua setiausaha (KSU) dan ketua jabatan mempunyai peranan dalam memastikan sistem semak dan imbang berfungsi.

“Kalau berlaku pada ketua pengarah dan KSU tak ambil tindakan atau menteri tak ambil tindakan, itu satu yang menyedihkan,” ujarnya.

Tambah beliau, kegagalan bertindak hanya akan menyebabkan masalah berulang dan berpanjangan.

Dalam masa sama, beliau memberi amaran bahawa institusi boleh rosak dari dalam sekiranya integriti tidak dijadikan budaya dalam organisasi.

Menurut beliau, kesan akhirnya akan dirasai oleh rakyat yang mula mempersoalkan keupayaan kerajaan dalam mengurus tadbir negara.

Sehubungan itu, beliau menegaskan isu integriti perlu dilihat dari sudut kepentingan negara secara menyeluruh.

“Kita sudah cakap pasal integriti dan sebagainya sejak sekian lama tetapi kenapa masih berlaku ini? Kenapa masih teruk lagi? Sekarang ini pun setting-setting, kontena terbang masih berlaku lagi?” soalnya.

Mengulas punca, beliau berpandangan masalah tersebut tidak berkait dengan faktor gaji, sebaliknya dipengaruhi gaya hidup.

“Sekarang semua hendak hidup mewah, tunjukkan di media sosial dan sebagainya.

"Tetapi akibatnya itu tahu tak? Sebab itu saya suka sebut perkara yang berlaku ini adalah satu rompakan di agensi itu sendiri,” ujarnya.

Katanya, keadaan menjadi lebih parah apabila perbuatan itu dilindungi sehingga tidak lagi menimbulkan rasa takut dalam kalangan pelaku.

Dalam konteks lebih luas, beliau turut membangkitkan kemungkinan wujud tindakan undang-undang oleh rakyat pada masa hadapan jika salah guna dana awam terus berlaku.

“Sebagai pembayar cukai adakah saya boleh saman kementerian itu? Sekarang tak boleh, tetapi tidak mustahil satu hari nanti rakyat akan menuntut hak tersebut sekiranya kepentingan mereka terus terjejas," katanya.

SUMBER : Sinar Harian