KANGAR, Jan 25 — The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has received 2,435 complaints last year, on the misconduct of enforcement officers.

This constitutes an increase of 228 complaints over the previous year.

EAIC chairman, Datuk Yaacob Md Sam said following investigations, it was found that about 80 per cent of the complaints were valid.

He said the commission was not out to embarrass any party with its investigations but would be transparent in assisting to raise the integrity of an enforcement agency.

“We need to be aware and hold on to integrity as the people are giving more attention to problems of indiscipline among enforcers, as well as the ease in spreading such incidents via social network.

“More than 20 million Malaysians have internet access. If an incident of malpractice is disseminated and watch by millions of people on social websites such as Facebook, it will create a bad perception against the enforcement agency and all civil servants,” he added.

Yaacob was speaking to reporters after attending a Northern Zone EAIC Dialogue which was attended by more than 220 enforcement officers from various agencies here today.

He said EAIC could only act against the violations of enforcement officers and agencies if there were complaints and public awareness on the functions of the bodies concerned.

“In the northern zone last year, there were 14 complaints registered in Penang, 20 in Kedah and three in Perlis against agencies under EAIC’s supervision, namely the police, National Anti-Drug Agency, immigration department and customs department,” he said.

Among the complaints received included absence of effective action against gambling activities, syndicates involved in cloned cars and occupation by illegal immigrants.

Yaacob said it was important to preserve public confidence on departmental heads or enforcement agencies and ensure they abided by the Public Officers Regulations (Conduct and Discipline) 1993 (Amendment 2002).

Meanwhile, he fully supported the implementation of the Exit Policy, effective Nov 19, as part of efforts to boost the civil service, but it would be used only as a last resort for underperforming employees. — Bernama

Resource : Malay Mail Online