By Murniati Abu Karim
Foto Ikhwan Hashim

BANGI, 14 July 2021 – Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is the first Public University in the country to implement the Organizational Anti-Corruption Plan.

The UKM Integrity Action Plan 2021-2025 was launched by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki witnessed by UKM Boards of Directors Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Abdul Wahid Omar and UKM Vice Chancellor of Prof Dato’ Ts. Mohd Ekhwan Hj Toriman, yesterday.

In his welcoming speech, Tan Sri Abdul Wahid highlighted the core objective of the plan is to provide a clear and structured anti-corruption framework to deter the issues of weak governance, integrity and bribery while demonstrating a strong commitment to enforce the anti-corruption strategy.

“The plan also provides a systematic platform and channel in tackling corruption with monitoring and reporting mechanism of any misconduct that be made to the top management of UKM,” he added.

Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Azam Baki expressed MACC’s mutual commitment with UKM in an effort to promote transparency, improve governance and prevent corruption, abuse of power as well as integrity violation in the university.

“Hopefully, this plan will propel UKM to move forward and set an example of good governance to other public universities.  By upholding this initiative, UKM is able to enhance and maintain its reputation as a world-class institution and statutory body with strong anti-corruption and integrity values,” he said.

The plan development is a mandatory requirement in the National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) in order to achieve a corruption-free nation. The establishment of the plan is also in support of the country’s anti-corruption policy, which reflects the people’s high expectations for a corruption-free country that practices transparency, accountability, and integrity.

The plan encompasses planning and implementation for a five-year period from 2021 to 2025, focusing on four key areas – governance and service delivery, financial management, academic management and student affairs, and management research, innovation and publication.

In relation to these key areas, UKM has outlined eight strategies, 13 strategic objectives, and 36 initiatives at the university level to ensure that the initiatives are implemented within the specified time frame.

The UKM Integrity and Ombudsman Unit is responsible to oversee and report the implementation of the outlined initiatives to the university committee followed by a subsequent reporting to the Ministry of Higher Education.