KUCHING: Sarawak’s younger generation must be guided to make decisions rooted in integrity to preserve harmony and ensure the state’s economy is led by competent and trustworthy individuals.
In stating this, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this was important because Sarawak’s future success depended not only on physical development but also on cultivating integrity and moral values in its young generation.
“It is crucial to realise that Sarawak’s future, whether 10 or 20 years from now, greatly depends on our younger generation. They are the heirs who will shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding this state.
“With the prosperity and abundance we have achieved, who else will carry and uphold that trust if not our young people? Therefore, values of integrity must be nurtured, taught, and shaped in them starting now.
“With these values of integrity, we are confident they will be able to uphold their trust and responsibilities to the best of their abilities, regardless of the roles they may take on in the future,” he said.
He said this in his remarks for Amanat Perdana Integriti (MAP-I) 2024 at Dewan Kompleks Islam Sarawak here yesterday.
Abang Johari stressed that the cultivation of integrity should be instilled from a young age so that the younger generation was more aware of their future role in creating a more prosperous, secure and quality future.
“The cultivation of integrity begins with honesty in speech, fulfilling responsibilities with trust, resisting undue influence, and being transparent in work. These attitudes will directly prevent immoral behaviours, particularly corruption.
“Corruption is one form of behaviour lacking integrity, stemming from uncontrolled excessive desires, and poses a significant threat to national progress and societal well-being.
“Like a cancer that silently destroys the body, corruption spreads through systems and seizes the future of the people. In serving the interests of a greedy few, it damages the nation’s integrity, undermines public trust, and creates social injustice,” he explained.
Thus, he said, leadership in both the public and private sectors must set a good example to ensure public trust was restored and maintained.
“The government is fully accountable to the people, and the people are watching intently. The burden of responsibility to prove that this strategy is not merely rhetoric but firm action now rests on our shoulders.
“As Sarawakians, we must maintain strong unity, work together, and strive diligently to ensure that this prosperity and well-being are sustained for future generations in line with our aspiration to become a highly-integrated and advanced state by 2030,” he added.
He also emphasised the importance of the direct involvement of all parties, not only in financial matters but also in ensuring the creation of an effective system of checks and balances, implementing strict monitoring, conducting surprise inspections, and periodically evaluating the skills and capabilities of officers within their respective agencies.
