Ahmad Denney (third left) presents a memento to Dr Sim while others look on. – Photo by Kong Jun Liung

KUCHING (March 6): Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian has urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Sarawak Integrity and Ombudsman Unit (Unions) to examine why certain sectors, such as healthcare, report fewer integrity-related cases compared to others.

Speaking at the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak Integrity Day 2025 here today, Dr Sim emphasised the need to understand these trends to enhance integrity measures across all government agencies.

“I want to urge you, mainly the MACC and Unions – try to find out what type of environment, why is it that there are less cases.

“Even in China, they do it so hard, and still have cases. If you say no cases, you are lying to the public. Because that’s not integrity already. Because you cannot say no cases,” he said.

Dr Sim, who is also State Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, highlighted that despite substantial government spending on healthcare, corruption cases in the sector appear to be relatively low.

“Healthcare has about RM28 billion spending. And in Malaysia, especially in Sarawak, I can tell you that if you go see a doctor, you don’t need to give angpau. And that comes from professional integrity,” he said.

He urged the MACC and Unions to assess whether similar integrity-driven practices could be implemented in other government agencies.

“Sarawak takes very seriously (the issue of integrity) because we all know that as we approach 2030, integrity is more important than ever. In 2018, people trust us with RM5.8 billion (state budget). By 2025, people trust us with more,” he noted.

He pointed out that while the state’s budget has significantly increased, the number of civil servants managing these funds has remained relatively unchanged, underscoring the need for stronger integrity safeguards.

Dr Sim also commended DID Sarawak for its commitment to integrity, particularly through its Anti-Bribery Management System (ABMS) certification.

“I want to congratulate DID on this certification. This certification on ABMS, is another way to say, ok whether you are cynical or not cynical, we are making an effort. We are making an effort to make a difference.

“And slowly, we will reach where we should be. Because all these are not overnight,” he said.

He stressed the importance of maintaining public trust, especially as Sarawak continues to manage increasing development funds.

“The procurement process and the trust. Trust is something which takes a long time to build, but it takes just one or two person(s) for it to fall down. That’s very unfortunate.

“But that’s reality,” he said, while stating his hope for integrity efforts to continue across all government agencies.

Also present were State Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang; DID arawak director Datu Ir Ts Ahmad Denney Ahmad Fauzi; Unions director Wan Mohamad Wan Drahman, Sarawak MACC deputy director (Prevention) Wan Ahmad Nidzam Wan Omar; and SIRIM Sarawak regional director Shahrizan Mohammad Sahmoni.