Kedah MB Urges Assemblymen To Safeguard Integrity, Fight Corruption

ALOR SETAR, April 20 (Bernama) -- Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor called on state assemblymen in Kedah to play a firmer role as guardians of integrity and a check-and-balance mechanism, to ensure governance remains transparent, accountable and free from corruption.

He said that in today's modern administrative landscape, the government can no longer operate in silos but requires an integrated approach involving all parties, including elected representatives and enforcement agencies.

"The role of an assemblyman is not merely to convey the people's aspirations, but to ensure every policy is understood, implemented effectively, and monitored transparently at the grassroots level," he said at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) engagement programme with Kedah Assemblymen 2026, Wisma Darul Aman today.

He added that the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2024–2028 is a timely step toward systematically combating corruption, covering key areas such as education, public accountability, the people's voice, enforcement, and incentives.

Success, he said, demands unwavering commitment from all parties to turn words into action, because the fight against corruption cannot be won with a mere policy document.

In light of this, he reminded that every government allocation must be managed with integrity, every project implemented transparently, and every decision made without conflict of interest.

"We cannot compromise on integrity. Once public trust is eroded, the impact is not just on the individual, but on the entire state administration," he emphasised.

He also described the MACC as a vital partner in strengthening the anti-corruption framework, particularly through educational approaches and more sustainable system improvements.

Meanwhile, at the same programme, MACC deputy chief commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Azmi Kamaruzaman said corruption does not stem from weak laws or regulations, but from systems that lack effective control and transparent oversight.

"When we look at the issue of leakage in public fund management, we must understand that it is not merely a financial issue. It reflects the entire governance chain, from planning right through to implementation, where every stage holds the potential to become a weak point if not properly controlled.

"When these weaknesses occur repeatedly, they are no longer isolated incidents. They become a pattern, which then forms a norm, and ultimately weakens the entire system," he explained.

-- BERNAMA