KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) have inked a memorandum of agreement (MoA) for strategic collaboration in the development of instruments and implementation of the Malaysian Integrity Index Study (InTeM).
The IIM said the collaboration aims to develop an integrity index which acts as a crucial instrument in measuring the level of compliance with integrity principles in various sectors in Malaysia.
“The development of InTeM is expected to provide a clearer and more comprehensive picture regarding the effectiveness of existing policies as well as identify improvements towards enhancing transparency and accountability.
“The development of InTem is also one of the initiatives under the Mid-Term Review of the 12th Malaysia Plan (MTR 12MP) in Chapter 2, which is Enhancing EfficiencyPublic Service Delivery,” it said in a statement today.
IIM chief executive officer Rahman Mohd Din and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation) Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Prof Ts. Dr Norazah Abd Rahman signed the MoA on behalf of the institutions yesterday.
Attending the event were Chief Operating Officer of IIM, Izal Arif Zahrudin; Principal Investigator at InTeM, Prof. Dr. Yarina Ahmad; Dean of the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies at UiTM, Prof. Madya Dr. Nor Hafizah Mohamed Harith; and Research Expert at InTeM, Prof. Kehormat Ts. Dr. Nazip Suratman.
“The index being developed is also expected to be one of the main indicators in the formation of the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) score by Transparency International (TI) and, hopefully, be a catalyst in enhancing Malaysia’s CPI score,” it added.
In addition, UiTM’s academic and research expertise is also expected to play a pivotal role in analysing data and developing relevant indicators for the Malaysian Integrity Index, in addition to being a key reference in ongoing efforts to cultivate integrity and good governance in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Rahman said in the same statement that the MoA is a proactive step in ensuring that integrity continues to be the core of the country’s progress.
“With the existence of the Malaysian Integrity Index, it can function as a benchmark and guide for the public and private sectors as well as the public in assessing and improving their respective integrity practices,” he said.
-- BERNAMA