The importance of integrity should be instilled from an early age, including within school settings, to prepare the future workforce for both private and public sectors with a strong commitment to avoiding abuse of power and corruption.
“While not obligatory, integrating integrity education into the curriculum is a cost-effective means to cultivate this essential value. It hinges on our willingness to prioritise it. Ismail emphasised the importance of reevaluating and strengthening the selection and appointment processes for public servants to ensure a comprehensive integration of integrity reforms and to mitigate shortcomings in the public sector.
“Sometimes, despite their impressive academic qualifications, individuals may exhibit a different demeanor once they assume their roles. Therefore, we must rigorously scrutinise the recruitment process,“ he said.