TRANSPARENCY International (TI) defines corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain.

Corruption can take many forms and can include behaviours like politicians misusing public money or granting public jobs or contracts to their sponsors, friends and families.

TI’s anti-corruption glossary of corrupt behaviour includes nepotism, which it defines as a form of favouritism based on acquaintances and familiar relationships whereby someone in an official position exploits his or her power or authority to provide a job or favour to a family member or friend, even though he or she may not be qualified or deserving.

Based on TI’s definitions, Nurul Izzah Anwar’s appointment as her father’s – that is, the prime minister – economic adviser may not be nepotism (she is well qualified and deserving) nor corrupt practice (no private gain).

However, does it pass the Seven Principles of Public Life?

The principles, often known as the Nolan principles, outline the ethical standards those working in the public sector in the United Kingdom are expected to adhere to.

They were first set out by Lord Nolan in 1995 in the first report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL).

The CSPL is an advisory non-departmental public body of the UK government, having been established by then prime minister John Major in 1994 to advise the prime minister on ethical standards of public life.

Lord Nolan was the first chair and he had the following terms of reference:

“To examine current concerns about standards of conduct of all holders of public office, including arrangements relating to financial and commercial activities and make recommendations as to any changes in present arrangements which might be required to ensure the highest standards of propriety in public life.”

The CSPL’s initial report, Standards in Public Life, stated that “the general principles of conduct which underpin public life need to be restated”.

In stating the principles, it said: “These principles apply to all aspects of public life. The committee has set them out here for the benefit of all who serve the public in any way.”

The Seven Principles of Public Life are:

1. Selflessness: Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2. Integrity: Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3. Objectivity: Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. Accountability: Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5. Openness: Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6. Honesty: Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. Leadership: Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

The principles apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder in the UK.

Last month, the current CSLP’s chair, Lord Evans, sent out an open letter to the UK’s public-sector leaders in which he said:

“I recognise that the demands on you as public sector leaders are numerous and diverse. You are leading government departments and public bodies that are grappling with complex challenges and it must be tempting to focus on delivery above all else.

“But building an organisational culture where the Principles of Public Life are deeply embedded in policies and practices supports the delivery of public services.

“Doing things in the right way and in the public interest is critical for public confidence in the bodies that operate on the public’s behalf.

“A robust ethical culture also supports effective risk management – if people see thinking about ethical issues as part of their job and feel safe to speak up, this can highlight potential areas of concern before they escalate.

“A values-driven culture is also good for morale and can help to attract and retain the highest calibre staff.”

The above should be an open letter to our public-sector leaders too.

The principles should also provide an important foundation to our democracy, and the ethical standards that the public-sector leaders, including the Dewan Rakyat speaker, must uphold.

The Seven Principles of Public Life, after all, are not incompatible with Malaysia Madani. – February 6, 2023.

* Hafiz Hassan reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.