KUCHING – Sarawak will hold its inaugural Sarawak Ombudsman Day on 5 November 2025, the first celebration since the enactment of the Sarawak Ombudsman Ordinance 2023.
The event, themed “Planting the Seed of Good Governance”, has been framed by organisers as a demonstration of the state government’s commitment to strengthen integrity, transparency and accountability across public administration.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman), Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya, outlined the objectives at a media conference in Kuching on Monday.
He said the celebration forms part of a broader effort tied to the Post-COVID‑19 Development Strategy 2030, which aims for Sarawak to become a developed state characterised by integrity by 2030.
Dr Juanda described the occasion as an opportunity for knowledge exchange, noting that the programme will draw international ombudsmen and representatives.
Expected participants include the Chief Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr Muhammad Najib, a Deputy Ombudsman from Thailand and delegates from the Philippines and the Asian Development Bank’s Philippines office.
Organisers said the presence of these regional figures will enable Sarawak to learn from different approaches to handling public grievances and to discuss practical measures for embedding integrity in government operations.
A series of forums and panel discussions is scheduled across the day. One session will compare ombudsman systems and practices in several countries, while another will feature Professor Dr Yohannes Wijantoro from Indonesia sharing insights on handling citizens’ complaints against government agencies.
A third programme will focus directly on the event theme, exploring how strong governance and institutional integrity underpin sustainable development and public trust.
Sarawak’s Ombudsman institution was established through the Sarawak Ombudsman Ordinance 2023, making the state the first in Malaysia to enact a statutory ombudsman.
Proponents argue the statutory framework strengthens legal mechanisms for addressing maladministration and provides an independent channel for citizens to lodge complaints against state agencies.
Sarawak Chief Ombudsman Dato Sri Abdul Ghafur Shariff and Wan Mohamad Wan Drahman, Director of the Sarawak Integrity and Ombudsman Unit, were present at the conference and underlined the institution’s role in ensuring complaints are received, investigated and resolved fairly.
Officials emphasised that public awareness remains a priority; Ombudsman Day is designed to inform citizens of the office’s remit and how to access its services.
The event also aims to foster partnerships with civil society, academia and regional integrity bodies to improve complaint handling and prevention strategies.
Speakers highlighted the importance of sustained capacity building and inter‑agency cooperation to ensure the Ombudsman can function effectively.
They said that international exchanges and the sharing of best practice will be critical to adapt processes that are both locally appropriate and internationally informed.
The celebration is being positioned as a key date in Sarawak’s integrity calendar and a milestone in the state’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the rule of law, improve public service delivery and build community confidence in government institutions.
