KUCHING – The Sarawak government has inaugurated the Community Integrity Building (CIB) programme, an initiative designed to reinforce integrity, transparency and accountability within local authorities across the state.
Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said at the launch, held at Kuching South City Council on Friday, that the programme is intended to correct systemic deficiencies in local governance, while equipping communities as active partners in oversight.
He emphasised that the values of integrity should not merely remain in policy documents, but be realised in practice through joint monitoring and responsibility between local governments and citizens.
“This programme reflects the Sarawak government’s firm commitment to placing integrity at the core of governance,” he said. “The aim is to bolster integrity, transparency, and accountability, not just for auditing, but as an active part of daily operations.”
Dr Sim further noted that the CIB model would reconfigure the role of local government, shifting society from passive service recipients to engaged contributors shaping development grounded in ethical standards.
At the event, Datuk Zuanda Jaya, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Integrity and Oversight), characterised the programme as a comprehensive cultural shift.
He remarked that all stakeholders, from state agencies, local government, community leaders (KMKK), to grassroots participants, would undergo transformation under the framework of CIB.
He added: “This initiative demonstrates that Sarawakians have the capacity to lead a culture of community integrity in Malaysia, making the Community Integrity Empowerment Programme a model for implementing a comprehensive, digital, transparent, and efficient community monitoring mechanism nationwide.”
Also in attendance were Datuk Amiranjan (Chairman & CEO, Malaysian Institute of Integrity), Datuk Mohd Zainal (Sarawak Inspector-General of Police), Wan Mohd Wan Daman (Director of UNIONS), Lloyd Huffman (Permanent Secretary, MPHLG), Datuk Zaidi Suhaili (Deputy Mayor, Kuching South), Abang Ismawi (Chairman, Kota Samarahan Municipal Council), and Stella (Secretary, Subis District Council).
The CIB approach is based on active citizen participation, social accountability, and the creation of evidence-based reporting mechanisms to identify issues and monitor the performance of public services.
It has been deployed in other Malaysian states as part of efforts to combat corruption and improve service delivery. (See CIB framework summary)
Sarawak’s adoption of CIB aligns with ongoing efforts to institutionalise integrity within public service. The state has established its own Integrity and Ombudsman Unit under the Premier’s Department, and Dr Sim has repeatedly emphasised that integrity must evolve from awareness to sustained implementation across all levels of government.
If effectively executed, the CIB programme could strengthen public trust, reduce local governance lapses, and position Sarawak as a leading exemplar in ethical administration in Malaysia.