FORMER Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan, co-hosts of the weekly political podcast Keluar Sekejap, on May 30 suggested a code of conduct for ministers.

Shahril said such a code exists in countries such Singapore and the United Kingdom to avoid conflicts of interest, as well as nepotism and cronyism at the highest levels of government.

In Singapore, according to a paper laid before parliament in July 2005, a Code of Conduct for Ministers has been in force since 1954, detailing how mnisters should act and arrange their personal affairs. It has been amended from time to time for changes and to include additional rules concerning the acceptance of gifts.

Significantly and importantly, the public since then has become better informed about the higher levels of accountability their lawmakers and representatives must uphold as their position is one of trust.

The Code of Conduct, which took effect from July 4, 2005, says:

“The position of a Government Minister is one of trust. It is vital that Ministers do not by their conduct undermine public confidence in themselves or bring discredit to the Government. Therefore, all Ministers are expected to act at all times according to the highest standards of probity, accountability, honesty, integrity, and diligence in the exercise of their public duties.

“This Code of Conduct for Ministers sets out the ‘rules of obligation’ that all Ministers are to abide by in order to uphold these standards. Breach of any of these ‘rules of obligation’ may expose the Minister to removal from office.

“Ministers are personally responsible for complying with this Code of Conduct and are expected to make their own decisions on how best to conduct themselves as required by this Code.”

In the UK, there is the Ministerial Code that sets out the standards to which a government minister is expected to adhere.

The code is updated by each prime minister but is largely consistent across various administrations. It covers various principles of integrity, including how ministers should avoid conflicts of interest and how they should interact with the administration and civil servants.

The code also expects ministers to adhere to the Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) – the ethical standards for all who work in the public sector.

In “Political appointments don’t make for good governance”, TMI reader Matilda George argued that the Nolan Principles “could inspire the unity government in applying its Madani values”.

So, too, could a code of conduct for ministers.

To borrow from Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who finally broke her silence yesterday after critics linked her to a Selangor transport pilot project involving a company co-founded by her husband, Malaysia deserves nothing less.

Yes, Malaysia deserves nothing less than a code of conduct for ministers. – June 2, 2024.