Integrity and Governance in the Public Service
Since 1 August 2013, Pekeliling Perkhidmatan Bilangan 6 Tahun 2013 has required every federal public agency to set up an Integrity Unit, now known in many agencies by its fuller name, the Integrity and Governance Unit (Unit Integriti dan Tadbir Urus). The current guideline, Garis Panduan Pengurusan Unit Integriti dan Governans, sets out six core functions: governance, the Discipline Board secretariat function, integrity strengthening, detection and verification, compliance, and complaints management. The Head of the Integrity Unit is expected to hold Certified Integrity Officer (CeIO) accreditation from the Lembaga Pentauliahan Pegawai Integriti, administered by the MACC, and reports on the unit's work to the agency's Secretary-General or Head of Department and to the MACC's Agency Integrity Management Division three times a year. This two-day course is built for appointed Heads and officers of an Integrity and Governance Unit in a ministry, department, statutory body or local authority, and is not HRD Corp claimable since government agencies do not pay the HRD Corp levy.
This two-day course is for heads and officers of Integrity and Governance Units in ministries, departments, statutory bodies and local authorities, sitting within the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2024-2029. Day one covers the legal basis, mandate and the Head of Integrity Unit role. Day two works through the six core functions, complaints and whistleblowing, and coordination with the MACC, Auditor-General and Public Accounts Committee, ending in a workshop that builds the unit's annual work plan and reporting pack. It pairs with Whistleblower Protection (Act 711) and Responding to Audit, PAC and MACC Inquiries. Agencies overseeing GLC subsidiaries should also see Integrity and Governance Unit for Companies and GLCs.
- Governance (Tadbir Urus)
- Discipline Board secretariat function (Tatatertib)
- Integrity strengthening (Pengukuhan Integriti)
- Detection and verification (Pengesanan dan Pengesahan)
- Compliance (Pematuhan)
- Complaints management (Pengurusan Aduan)
Corporate IGU vs Public Sector Integrity Unit
| Companies and GLCs | Public Service | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | 2018 Cabinet directive (GLCs); Section 17A MACC Act (private companies) | Pekeliling Perkhidmatan Bilangan 6 Tahun 2013 |
| Unit head | Chief Integrity Officer, often an MACC secondee | Head of Integrity Unit, CeIO accredited |
| Reports to | The board or a board committee | Secretary-General or Head of Department, and MACC three times a year |
| Oversight body | MACC (regulates how core functions are implemented) | MACC Agency Integrity Management Division |
| HRD Corp claimable | Yes, SBL-Khas | Not applicable, agencies do not pay the levy |
Programme Agenda
Day 1, 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Welcome and Programme Overview
Introduction to the session, objectives, and housekeeping.
Day 1, 9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
The Legal and Policy Basis for Public Sector Integrity Units
Pekeliling Perkhidmatan Bilangan 6 Tahun 2013 and the Garis Panduan Pengurusan Unit Integriti dan Governans, and how the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024 to 2029 frames the unit's role.
Day 1, 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Break
Day 1, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Mandate, Placement and Reporting Lines
Where the unit sits in the agency, direct reporting to the Secretary-General or Head of Department, the report to the MACC's Agency Integrity Management Division due before 15 May, September and January, and independence from the functions it oversees.
Day 1, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
The Head of Integrity Unit and CeIO Accreditation
Role and competencies, the Certified Integrity Officer accreditation process through the Lembaga Pentauliahan Pegawai Integriti, and planning for succession.
Day 1, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch
Day 1, 1:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Governance Function
Embedding governance practice across the agency, reviewing policy and procedure, and advising top management on integrity risk.
Day 1, 3:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Break
Day 1, 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Integrity Strengthening and Compliance Functions
Culture and awareness programmes, asset declaration, gifts and hospitality, conflicts of interest, and monitoring compliance against applicable circulars and law.
Day 1, 4:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Day 1 Close
Recap and what to review before day two.
Day 2, 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Day 1 Review
Recap of day one and the questions it left open.
Day 2, 9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Detection, Verification and the Discipline Secretariat Function
Handling reports of misconduct, verifying before escalation, the unit's secretariat role to the Discipline Board where delegated, and the boundary with a MACC criminal investigation.
Day 2, 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Break
Day 2, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Complaints Management and Whistleblowing
Intake, triage and confidentiality for reports from staff and the public, protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, and escalation.
Day 2, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch
Day 2, 1:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Working With the MACC, Auditor-General and PAC
Coordinating on investigations, audit findings and Public Accounts Committee inquiries, and the unit's role in agency remediation.
Day 2, 3:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Break
Day 2, 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Workshop: Build Your Unit's Annual Work Plan and Reporting Pack
Teams draft a work plan covering all six core functions and the periodic report pack for the Secretary-General or Head of Department and the MACC.
Day 2, 4:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Wrap-Up and Q&A
Key takeaways, next steps, and close.
Key Outcomes
- Explain the legal and policy basis for public sector Integrity and Governance Units
- Set the unit's mandate, placement and reporting lines
- Describe the Head of Integrity Unit role and the CeIO accreditation route
- Run all six core functions as a connected work programme
- Handle complaints and whistleblower reports within the unit's remit
- Prepare the reporting pack required by the agency head and the MACC
Training Mode Physical / Online / Hybrid / e-learning
HRD Corp Not applicable. Government agencies do not pay the HRD Corp levy
Level Intermediate. For heads and officers of Integrity and Governance Units (Unit Integriti) in ministries, departments, statutory bodies and local authorities.
Duration 2 Days (16 Hours) | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
Venue In-house at the client's premises, or delivered via the client's preferred platform (Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or equivalent)
Assessment An annual work plan and reporting pack drafted in the workshop, plus a written knowledge check
Certificate Certificate of Completion issued to all participants upon full attendance