CALL FOR CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO PROMOTE INTEGRITY

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's effort to promote integrity is showing fruition but more needs to be done to make it a part of the culture among the society, the National Integrity Plan report says.

The report, which examines the country's progress in promoting integrity,
acknowledges that there has been improvement on various fronts but stresses the
need to remain focus in achieving the target set when the plan was first
launched in 2004.

As such, the report, dubbed "Target 2008", recommends that all five
priorities set in the plan's first five-year period (2004-2008) be carried
forward in the second phase covering the period between 2009 and 2013.

"Although there are changes and improvement on the system and structure, the
five components of the Target 2008 are still relevant in the next phase of the
country's integrity agenda," the report says.

The report was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Mohd Najib Razak at the
Malaysian Institut of Integrity here.

The five priorities are to reduce corruption and abuse of power, increase
efficiency of the public delivery system, enhance corporate governance,
strengthen the family institution, and improve the quality of life and people's
well-being.

Citing anti-corruption as an example, the report said, the government had
set up the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to replace the Anti-Corruption
Agency but allegations of corruption remained.

The report also stressed the importance of appointing integrity officers in
government departments and agencies, especially those considered high risks.

The National Integrity Plan was launched on April 23, 2004 by Prime Minister
Abdullah Badawi.
-- BERNAMA