THE George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) has reached a new milestone by obtaining a special anti-bribery certification to uphold transparency and cultivate good governance within the agency.
The certification is known as the ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management System accredited certification from the British Standards Institution (BSI).
GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee, during a courtesy call on Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at his office in Komtar today, said that the certification was awarded on Dec 7 last year and is valid until Dec 6, 2025.
“Led by YAB Chow as GTWHI chairman, all GTWHI directors and employees are committed to preventing, detecting and responding to bribery-related risks and acts.
“The ISO 37001:2016 certification has strengthened GTWHI’s internal check and control systems in evaluating and improving anti-bribery management measures.
“It shall also boost the confidence among the local and international stakeholders towards GTWHI as a World Heritage Site Management Agency. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity in all professional interactions and endeavours, and have zero tolerance towards corruption,” Dr Ang said.
According to Dr Ang, GTWHI employees are educated and trained in the working culture of integrity and compliance with anti-bribery and corruption laws and regulations.
“It is now also compulsory for all GTWHI stakeholders to sign the GTWHI Integrity Pact Declaration Form and read the GTWHI Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy (ABC Policy), which is part of the certification.
“The public also may download the GTWHI ABC Policy from the GTWHI website (www.gtwhi.com.my), and may contact the GTWHI Integrity Unit for further enquiry on the GTWHI ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management System,” she added.
Dr Ang also thanked the Integrity Unit of the Penang State Secretary’s office for their guidance and support throughout the certification process since 2020.
Chow also congratulated GTWHI for the accomplishment.
“Such certification also shows GTWHI’s commitment to fighting against corruption, misuse of power and other forms of bribery, regardless of management position in the agency.
“I also would like to urge other government-linked companies (GLCs) to get such certification to uphold the highest standards of integrity,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis