SARAWAK COMMUNITY LEADERS REMINDED TO BE MINDFUL OF OMBUDSMAN LAW
KUCHING, March 11 (Bernama) -- Community leaders in Sarawak are now subject to the Ombudsman Ordinance 2023 and may face action if they abuse their influence regarding projects or developments in their respective areas.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Sarawak Public Communications Unit [UKAS]) Datuk Abdullah Saidol said leaders found involved in maladministration would not be exempt from action under the law.
“Community leaders also have the right to file complaints if they have evidence that the state agencies’ actions are not done in the public’s interest (under the provisions of the ordinance), and this can be investigated.
“Sometimes complaints arise due to unfair decisions involving land matters and allocations.
“The community needs to know about their right to file complaints, but they should not act based on emotions and slander; make sure there are facts,” he said after attending a tour series on current issues organised by UKAS and the State Library here today.
Sarawak became the first state in Malaysia to have ombudsman law after the Sarawak Ombudsman Bill 2023 was passed at the State Legislative Assembly in November.
-- BERNAMA
