PUTRAJAYA, Feb 20 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today signed the Transparency International’s Election Integrity Pledge, making a public declaration to uphold integrity and reinforcing his commitment to the nation’s agenda in fighting corruption especially in the upcomming 13th general election.
Transparency International’s Election Integrity Pledge is a voluntary social contract where candidates who will be standing for the general election, pledge to promote integrity, good governance, transparency and accountability in government and to uphold the rule of law. The candidates who signed the pledge agree to adhere to Election Offences Act 1954 and its regulations; and ensure that their actions and decisions are
for the benefit of the general public and not self-serving.
Under the ‘Further Information’ section, right after the sentence – ‘I am signing this Election Integrity Pledge because:’ Najib wrote “I believe that as the BN leader I have to set a strong tone. Only a candidate who is deemed to
have fought clean and fair election will lead to a trustworthy government respected by the people”.
TI-Malaysia President Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan signed the document as a witness, and also present at the signing ceremony at the bangunan Perdana Putra was Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Umno Secretary-General Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, and the Barisan Nasional component party leaders.
The Pledge states that the candidates shall observe the principles of truth, integrity, ethical conduct and accouuntability, including not accepting or giving bribes, or involved in any way in corrupt practices.
The candidates shall also uphold and give priority to the interests of the rakyat as a whole, practice good governance and transparency; and comply with applicable laws and regulations of Malaysia. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, the Prime Minister said once the Barisan Nasional nominees for the general elections are announced, he will ensure that all candidates will sign the pledge.
“Nominees from Barisan Nasional and its component parties have gone through a review process with the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission), it is fitting that they now take their commitment for clean and fair elections a step further by signing this Election Integrity Pledge.
“The responsibility of fulfilling the pledge lies with the signatories of the pledge and it is the prerogative of the general Malaysian public to hold them accountable to it. Let us work together towards strengthening the election
process,” he said.
He pointed out that as the pledgee’s contact details will be available in the Transparency International website, the responsibility of the public is therefore to be the eyes and ears to monitor their elected representative’s
adherence to these standards. Meanwhile when approached after the ceremony, Paul Low said the public could communicate with the candidates using the contact information provided by them in the TI website http://timalaysia-electionpledge.org.my.
He said as the pledge is not about the party, but individual; he expects that all the candidates and party leaders, from the government party, the opposition, or any independant standing in the comming election; to step forward and sign the pledge.
“Because I believe that for Malaysia, we need to change this political culture, to ensure that integrity and fighting corruption is the priority of every lawmaker,” he said.
BERNAMA
