PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has set the tone for a clean and fair general election by making a public declaration to uphold integrity and reinforcing his commitment to fight corruption in the upcoming polls.

The Prime Minister signed the Transparency International (TI) Election Integrity Pledge, which carries this objective, at a brief ceremony at the Perdana Putra building here yesterday.

TI Malaysia president Datuk Paul Low and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdull witnessed the signing.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and Barisan Nasional component party leaders.

They included MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, PBB president Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel.

The TI Election Integrity Pledge is a voluntary social contract, where candidates who will be standing for the general election pledge to promote integrity, good governance, transparency and accountability in government and to uphold the rule of law.

Candidates who sign the pledge agree to adhere to the Election Offences Act 1954 and its regulations and give an assurance that their actions and decisions are for the benefit of the general public and not self-serving.

In signing the pledge, Najib declared that he would observe principles of truth, integrity, ethical conduct and accountability, including not accepting or giving bribes or being involved in any way in corrupt practices.

The pledge also committed him to uphold and give priority to the interests of the rakyat, good governance and transparency, and compliance with the country's laws and regulations.

Meanwhile, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said that once the Barisan nominees for the general election are announced, he will ensure that they all sign the pledge.

“Nominees from the Barisan and component parties have gone through a review process with the MACC. It is fitting that they now take their commitment for clean and fair elections a step further by signing this Election Integrity Pledge.

“The responsibility of fulfilling the pledge lies with the signatories of the pledge and it is the prerogative of the general Malaysian public to hold them accountable to it.

“Let us work together towards strengthening the election process,” the Prime Minister said.

TI Malaysia commended Najib for signing the pledge.

“He had ensured his political nominees would be screened by the MACC.

“Now, taking this step further, he is encouraging them to make a public commitment for clean and fair elections,” TI Malaysia said in a statement.

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