KUCHING – The Sarawak Ombudsman has reinforced its international cooperation by hosting a courtesy meeting with the Danish Parliamentary Ombudsman, marking another step in strengthening governance and accountability frameworks.
The session, held on Thursday, was led by Dato Sri Abdul Ghafur Shariff, Sarawak’s Chief Ombudsman, alongside Christian Britten Lundblad, who assumed the role of Denmark’s Parliamentary Ombudsman earlier this year.
Both sides emphasised the importance of exchanging expertise and building institutional capacity to enhance oversight in public administration.
Dato Sri Abdul Ghafur explained that the dialogue provided a strategic platform to broaden collaboration. He noted that Sarawak’s Ombudsman, established under the Sarawak Ombudsman Ordinance 2023, continues to face challenges such as limited public awareness, institutional development, and the need for stronger inter-agency cooperation.
These issues, he said, must be addressed to ensure more effective complaint resolution and improved service delivery.
The Danish delegation shared insights into the evolution of their institution, which was formally established in 1955 following constitutional provisions.
Over the past seven decades, Denmark’s Ombudsman has become a cornerstone of administrative justice, safeguarding citizens’ rights and promoting accountability across government agencies.
Christian Britten Lundblad remarked that although Sarawak’s Ombudsman is relatively new, its rapid progress has been commendable.
“We have a 70-year-old institution, but they are moving forward quickly here. I am always inspired by this collaboration and the shared views. Although coming from different perspectives, the problems faced are actually very similar,” he said.
The meeting also highlighted Denmark’s recognition of Sarawak’s achievements in governance reform. International observers have noted that despite being in its infancy, the Sarawak Ombudsman has already begun laying foundations for transparency and integrity in state administration.
Future cooperation is expected to include professional training, technical exchanges, and expert-level dialogues. These initiatives aim to strengthen Sarawak’s institutional framework and ensure continuous improvement in governance practices.
The courtesy call was attended by several dignitaries, including Kirstine Vangkilde Berner, Denmark’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Aw Tai Hui, Honorary Consul in Sarawak, and Alexander Unya Ambon, Sarawak’s Deputy Chief Ombudsman.
Their presence underscored the significance of the partnership and the shared commitment to advancing good governance.
Observers believe that such collaborations will not only enhance Sarawak’s administrative capacity but also position the state as a regional example of accountability and transparency in governance.
