KUCHING: Sarawak has taken the right step towards transparency by adopting an ombudsman system modelled after Sweden to prevent the misuse of investigative reports for political retaliation.
Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar said under this approach, reports are presented to the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) to ensure a structured review process.
“(Under this system), the report is laid on the table. The Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) is adopting the Swedish ombudsman system to prevent reports made by the Public Account Committee (PAC) or ombudsman from being weaponised by the executive.
“This ensures that the vicious cycle among those who are in a position of power, does not abuse the report against past ministers or past politicians,” he told reporters after officiating at the Corruption and Legal Liability Workshop for assemblymen at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here on Friday.
Earlier in his speech, Asfia explained that traditionally, Sarawak has followed the Westminster model, using the PAC to oversee government spending and public funds.
However, this system has limitations, especially when reports are exploited by those in power to selectively target political enemy while sparing allies, he said.
“At times, MPs fight each other, and they bring it before the judge. So, the judge becomes supreme.
“Then, you have reports from MACC, reports from the Public Account Committee, landing on the desk of the executive. The moment it lands on the desk of the executive, the executive weaponises this. Hence, you have selective prosecution,” he said.
Asfia expressed optimism that the new ombudsman system would prevent such misuse.
Unlike the PAC, which investigates ministries often headed by colleagues or senior officials, the ombudsman is an independent body established through legislation, free from political interference, he added.
Also present were Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya, Sarawak Chief Ombudsman Datuk Seri Abdul Ghafur Shariff, and Perdana International Anti-Corruption Champion Foundation chairman Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed.
