MBPJ staff reciting the corruption-free pledge at the Integrity Day and Anti-Corruption Day Ceremony. — The Star
AS we begin 2025, I want to emphasise the urgent need to cultivate integrity in all areas of our lives – personal, professional and institutional.
Integrity is not just an ideal; it’s the foundation of a strong, prosperous society. It ensures honesty, accountability, and the courage to do what’s right, even when it’s difficult.
To truly progress as a nation, integrity must guide every choice, from individual actions to national policy.
Why integrity matters
Integrity is the cornerstone of trust. Without it, no relationship, organisation, or nation can function effectively. Whether in personal relationships, the workplace, or governance, integrity creates an environment of transparency, fairness and accountability. It means making decisions for the common good, not personal gain.
For instance, people often accept that politicians don’t always keep their promises, especially during elections. However, Malaysian politicians must move away from this so-called norm.
If politicians continue to make rhetorical statements without substance, it will erode trust in them and damage their integrity. When integrity is compromised, it becomes difficult for politicians to provide effective leadership. Without trust, their ability to govern is weakened, and the public’s faith in the political system diminishes.
This issue extends to religious leaders, particularly those who use religion as a political platform. In Malaysia, Islam has become so politicised that the sensitivities of Muslims are often disregarded by their own Muslim leaders.
These politicians portray themselves as speaking on behalf of Islam, but too often, they come across as oppressive, harsh, and overbearing, failing to respect the intelligence of other Muslims.
This damages their integrity and, in turn, harms the image of Islam and the broader Muslim community. When religious leadership becomes politicised, it undermines trust in both the leadership and the values they claim to represent.
A national culture of integrity
For integrity to thrive, it must become a national value. It should be instilled from an early age, woven into our education system and embraced by every sector of society. Schools should teach not just academic excellence, but ethical behaviour – honesty, responsibility, and accountability. Parents, teachers and community leaders must lead by example, showing that integrity is about actions, not just words.
For those in the professional world, integrity means adhering to ethical standards even when no one is watching. It means standing up for what is right, even when it is inconvenient or unpopular. Alas, I see all too often indifference to unethical behaviours in the workplace, government departments, and various non-governmental organisations.
This indifference erodes the culture of integrity that is essential for building a fair and just society. If we continue to turn a blind eye to these behaviours, we risk normalising them, which ultimately undermines the values that sustain a thriving, ethical nation. In business, government and civil society, we must strive to create environments where integrity is not only encouraged, but rewarded.
Institutional integrity
A society’s moral compass is largely shaped by its institutions. In Malaysia, we need to insist that integrity becomes the foundation of our national institutions. Our leaders must act with honesty and transparency, and they must be held accountable for their actions. Corruption, dishonesty, and exploitation must be rooted out, and those who violate the public trust must be held to the highest standards of justice.
Institutions like the police force, judiciary and government agencies must operate above reproach. When the rakyat trusts that their leaders are acting in good faith and working for the common good, the entire nation benefits. But when integrity is compromised, when corruption runs unchecked, or when public resources are misused for personal gain, the damage is felt by every citizen.
It is not enough to simply talk about integrity; we must ensure that policies and laws promote and protect it. The rule of law must be applied fairly to all, without fear or favour. Transparency and accountability should be built into every level of government and business. Whistleblower protections must be strengthened to ensure that those who expose corruption or wrongdoing are not punished for their courage.
Moving forward
In 2025, let’s make integrity a cornerstone of our lives. Whether in our neighbourhoods, workplaces, or leadership, integrity must guide every decision. While the journey won’t be easy, with persistence, we can build a just, united, and prosperous Malaysia where doing the right thing becomes the norm and every citizen can take pride in a nation rooted in honesty and ethical values.
Let us insist on integrity in our institutions, nurture it in our children, and embody it in our everyday actions.
As we move forward in 2025, let us embrace the call to make integrity the cornerstone of our national character. Let it guide us in our personal lives, shape our professional conduct, and ensure that our institutions act with fairness, transparency, and respect for all.
Integrity is not just about doing the right thing; it is about creating a society where goodness, honesty, and dignity prevail.
Let us all contribute to building a Malaysia that we can be proud of – a nation rooted in integrity.
Senior lawyer Datuk Seri Dr Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos is the founder of Rapera, a movement which encourages thinking and compassion among Malaysians. The views expressed here are entirely his own.
