Juanda (centre) is seen with other distinguished guests and participants at the forum. – Photo by Jude Toyat

KUCHING (Jan 8): Unnecessary delays by civil servants in completing public services should be reported to the Sarawak Integrity and Ombudsman Unit (Unions), said Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya.

The Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) said adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) should not be used to justify avoidable delays as this could undermine public confidence and damage the government’s image.

“Even if the SOP states that a matter can be completed within seven working days, if it can be resolved on the same day, why wait?” he asked in his opening remarks for the Forum on Strengthening the Ombudsman Institution in Sarawak here.

Juanda urged the public to lodge reports with Unions when government agencies fail to comply with stated service timelines, provided such complaints are supported by evidence.

“If an agency states that a process can be completed in seven working days but it takes seven months, this should be reported to the Ombudsman with proof, not hearsay,” he said, adding that photographs, screenshots, and recordings can serve as supporting documentation.

He stressed that minor administrative inefficiencies can have a disproportionate impact on public perception.

“These small, seemingly trivial issues are what cause the image of the government to suffer badly,” he said.

Juanda explained that the Ombudsman mechanism is corrective rather than punitive.

“The Ombudsman exists to ensure that rules are followed, and if they are not adhered to by the relevant agency, the Ombudsman will issue reminders and corrective measures.

“If a work process is unnecessary, burdensome to the public, or unreasonable, the Ombudsman will make recommendation to the government for improvement,” he said.

He added that the Sarawak Ombudsman Ordinance, passed in 2023, currently covers state-level administration, including government agencies, local authorities, statutory bodies, and government-linked companies.

Juanda also highlighted the Sarawak government’s commitment to strengthening integrity and accountability, noting that the state has more than 200 certified integrity officers and a special Cabinet committee tasked with scrutinising audit reports and budgets of state agencies.

The forum was organised by Persatuan Pemangkin Daya Masyarakat (ROSE), Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center), and CSO Platform for Reform.

It served as a platform for dialogue on the enhancement of the Sarawak Ombudsman Office, a fundamental pillar of good governance.

Discussions focused on the institution’s role, progress, and challenges, aligned with strategies such as the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024–2028.

Among those present were Sarawak Ombudsman Office head Dato Sri Abdul Ghafur Shariff, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, C4 Center CEO Pushpan Murugiah, and ROSE president Geoffrey Tang.






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