1Malaysia

Najib: Good governance easier said than done

By Kit

June 08, 2011

June 08, 201 | The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak told Muslim leaders today that achieving good governance was “easier said than done.”

The prime minister told the seventh World Islamic Economic Forum in his speech that this was due to political influence, inequality, strong family ties, greed, inadequate regulations and poor enforcement.

“Even the fear of God at times can do little to ensure… integrity,” he said in Ankara, Kazakhstan.

However, the Barisan Nasional (BN) chief said that his administration was committed to pursuing good governance to make Malaysia more competitive.

He listed the Whistleblower Protection Act, National Integrity Plan, the introduction of key performance indicators for the public sector and establishing the Malaysian Institute of Integrity as steps taken by his administration to promote good governance.

The prime minister also said said that openness, honesty and transparency was needed to convince the public that the government was working for them and not itself.

Najib (picture) said these guiding principles would show that leaders and politicians were working for the benefit of all and not just “lining their own pockets.”

“It is up to us to show the resolve, dedication, commitment and political will required to do what is right, to right what is wrong and to prevent corruption and secrecy from becoming a norm in our societies,” the Umno president said.

He added that governments should “walk the talk and practise what we preach” and not fear criticism from the public.

According to graft watchdog Transparency International, Malaysia’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) has been falling since 2008 when it scored 5.1.

In last year’s report, Malaysia scored a 4.4, ranking it 56th out of 178 countries.

The score fell short of the 4.9 target the government had announced in January 2010 as one of its National Key Results Area (NKRA).