KUCHING – The Sarawak Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) has been urged to strengthen integrity, governance and accountability in the implementation of public infrastructure projects to ensure government allocations deliver tangible benefits to the people.
Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said officers and agencies under the ministry had a responsibility to safeguard the trust placed in them by the Sarawak Government.
âWhen we plan an infrastructure, the implementation process must follow regulations and SOPs. We need to ensure that every decision is made based on the interests of the people and avoid leakages,â he said.
He was speaking at the opening of the MIPD Southern Zone Integrity Camp 2026, organised in collaboration with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Sarawak, in Kuching on September 7.
Uggah said the government had provided substantial allocations for development projects and expected the ministry to ensure that the resources were used responsibly and that projects were delivered to the required standards.
âThe government has given us trust through large allocations to implement development projects. Let us not betray that trust. We must deliver the results to the people in the best possible way,â he said.
The three-day programme, themed âOne Team, One Integrity – Strengthening Unity, Upholding Integrityâ, brings together MIPD officers and staff as well as personnel from agencies under the ministry.
The camp combines structured and interactive activities designed to strengthen teamwork, cooperation and a shared understanding of integrity in public service. It also aims to reinforce a sense of responsibility among employees in carrying out their respective duties.
Uggah said the success of an infrastructure project should not be judged solely by whether construction had been completed. Projects must also meet specifications, fulfil commitments made to the public and receive proper maintenance after completion.
He also emphasised the importance of allowing officers to raise concerns and express differing views when matters relating to transparency, compliance or project implementation are discussed.
âIf there is an important matter in the meeting, we need to raise it. If we disagree, state it. Meetings are not a one-way street. Everyone needs to give their views so that we can make the best decisions for the people of Sarawak,â he said.
Technology was another area highlighted during the programme, particularly in relation to monitoring road conditions and maintenance requirements.
Uggah welcomed efforts by the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) to use technology to gather information from members of the public about road conditions. He said the system could be further improved through more effective monitoring mechanisms that would enable information from the field to reach the relevant authorities more quickly.
A faster flow of information, he added, could help maintenance work to be carried out in a more organised and timely manner.
MIPD and MACC Sarawak were also recognised for their cooperation in developing the Corruption Risk Management (CRM) and Organisational Anti-Corruption Strategy (OACS). The documents are intended to provide a framework for strengthening integrity and managing corruption risks within the ministry.
Uggah stressed that the strategies should not remain administrative documents but should be incorporated into the ministry’s daily operations and management practices.
âA good document will not bring about change if it is not implemented. It must be a guide in our work and part of the ministry’s management agenda,â he said.
He expressed hope that the integrity camp would provide a foundation for building a stronger âOne Team, One Integrityâ culture across MIPD and its related agencies.
The programme also encourages participants to reassess their roles as public servants, particularly their responsibilities in ensuring that decisions and actions are guided by the interests of the people.
The Southern Zone camp forms part of broader efforts to improve understanding of governance, corruption risk management and corruption prevention among ministry personnel.
For MIPD, the emphasis on integrity extends beyond compliance with procedures. It also involves ensuring that public resources are managed responsibly, concerns can be raised without hesitation and infrastructure projects continue to serve communities effectively after completion.
