Integrity, transparency and trust remain fundamental values for Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC)
BY KHIRTINI K KUMARAN
The Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) has come a long way since its founding in 2009.
ITC Corporate Development and Finance Division Senior Manager Mohd Zaidi Bahirin Zainal Abidin said: “We had only nine employees when we started. We kept expanding and now employ more than 20 dedicated staff. With this growth, we want to further uphold our integrity, transparency and trust values.
“ITC, a company limited by guarantee under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), has its own governance and work procedures independent from MOTAC, therefore requiring its integrity plan.”
Hence, in line with the MADANI government recommendation, ITC has launched its anti-corruption policy document, the Organisational Anti-Corruption Plan 2023-2027 (OACP), at the organisational level to address problems and weaknesses in governance, integrity and anti-corruption in organisations.
The OACP will be implemented over five years, from 2023-2027. The scope of ITC’s OACP implementation includes all aspects of anti-corruption, integrity and governance involving all areas and activities in this organisation.
Strengthening ITC’s governance, management and operations
According to records from Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Zaidi shared ITC has not reported any cases or severe misconduct.
“Therefore, this record should be continued to ensure that ITC staff are always free from the symptoms of corruption that will tarnish the good name of this company,” he said.
“Hence, the OACP will serve as a guide for all ITC’s top management, employees, and tourism stakeholders aimed to eliminate situations and lower the likelihood of corruption, unethical and unprofessional behaviours in all facets of the ITC’s operation in line with the Islamic values.”
“All ITC officers and staff are fully committed to ensuring the implementation of every initiative planned in this OACP will be achieved. We are determined to cultivate integrity in delivering services guided by laws, regulations and directives in force to produce a company free from corruption, abuse of power and malpractice.”
Guaranteeing trust and support
With the existence of this plan, he also believes it will facilitate the achievement of the vision and mission, improve the quality of service delivery at ITC, and help build the trust and loyalty of clients and stakeholders.
By strengthening ITC’s governance, management and operations, the OACP will guarantee continuous trust and support of tourism industry players and stakeholders by fostering work
governance free from deviations and leakages.
“I am confident that by putting the strategies and initiatives outlined in OACP into practice, we will continue to expand and become more well-known in the Muslim-friendly tourism sector domestically and abroad.”
To ensure the effectiveness of this OACP, all initiatives that have been identified will be monitored and reviewed periodically.
