INTEGRITY UNIT

Established on 15 January 2014 under Pekeliling Perkhidmatan No. 6/2013 as an independent internal control mechanism to institutionalise integrity, misconduct prevention, and compliance within the USM ecosystem.

Supporting SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

OBJECTIVES

To be recognised as the champion of integrity and good governance.

To ensure zero corruption in the university ecosystem.

To ensure that complaints are managed in a fair, objective, and truth-oriented manner.

FUNCTIONS

Governance

Ensure the University's best governance practices are fully implemented.

Compliance

Ensures full compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

Complaints Management

Receive and act on all complaints/information on criminal misconduct and Code of Conduct violations.

Strengthening Integrity

Cultivating and implementing integrity-based initiatives into the University ecosystem.

Detection & Verification

Detects and verifies complaints of misconduct, ensuring appropriate follow-up action and reporting criminal misconduct to the responsible enforcement agencies.

IKRAR INTEGRITI WARGA USM

USM Organisational Anti-Corruption Plan (OACP)

The Integrity pledge demonstrates the commitment of USM staff to practice high integrity values and combat corruption. Aligned with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS), the USM OACP 2023-2027 serves as a long-term strategy to streamline university operations, enhance service delivery efficiency, and foster transparency, accountability, and good governance.

USM OACP 2023 - 2027 NACS 2024 - 2028

RELATED AGENCIES & LINKS

Prime Minister's Department Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) MACC (SPRM) Malaysia Institute of Integrity (MII) Public Service Department (JPA) National Audit Department (NAD)

OUR TEAM

Integrity@USM TEAM

Dato' Dr. Khairul Anuar Bin Che Azmi

Legal Adviser

Mr. Mohd Izwan Bin Hamdan

Deputy Legal Adviser

Dr. Mohd Rodzi Bin Ahmad

Investigation Officer

Mrs. Noreen Afzan Binti Roslan

Senior Administrative Executive

Mr. Megat Muhammad Badrul Hisyam Bin Ismail

Assistant Administrative

Ms. Hartini Binti Abd Ghani

Assistant Administrative

ASSOCIATION OF CERTIFIED INTEGRITY OFFICERS (ACeIO)

Dato' Dr. Khairul Anuar Che Azmi is the Penang State Chairman for the Association of Certified Integrity Officer since 2020. Recently, Dr. Mohd Rodzi Bin Ahmad is also a registered member of ACeIO started from November 2025.

Integrity@USM is the members of the Council of Public University Integrity Officers or known as Majlis Pegawai Integriti Universiti Awam (MPIUA). The Council has been formed on 4 July 2019 to unite all the UI of the public universities.

GOVERNANCE

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

Governance Committee or known as Jawatankuasa Tatakelola (JTKe) USM is a committee that replaced the former Anti-Corruption Committee. The forming of JTKe USM is to strengthen the system of university administration in which based on the document of Prime Minister's Directive No. 1 Year 2023, named the National Good Governance Strengthening Movement (Gerakan Pemantapan Tatakelola Nasional).

Prime Minister's Directive No.1 Year 2023

TERM OF REFERENCES

Institutional, Policy and Law Reforms

Work Systems and Procedures

Monitoring and Evaluation

Cultivation of Value Practices and Good Governance

MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE

Vice-ChancellorChairman

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industrial & Community Network)

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation)

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International)

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students Development Affairs & Alumni)

Director of Health Campus

Director of Engineering Campus

Registrar

Bursar

Chief Librarian

Legal Adviser

Ombudsman

Director of Hospital Pakar USM

Director of Advance Dental & Medical Institute

Director of Sports & Recreation Centre

Chief Digital Officer

Director of Development & Facility Management Department

Director of Media and Public Relations Centre

Director of Security Department

Head of Internal Audit

Integrity Unit Secretariat

COMPLAINTS

CATEGORIES OF CASES HANDLED

Conflict of Interest

Situations where a person's private interests or personal relationships could compromise or appear to compromise their professional judgment or ability to act in the University's best interest.

Misuse of Power

The unauthorized or illegal use of one's official authority or position for personal gain or to unfairly disadvantage others, including coercion or undue influence.

Embezzlement

The fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to one's care but actually owned by the University or a third party.

Unethical Behaviour

Actions that violate established moral principles, professional standards, or the University's code of conduct, even if not strictly illegal.

Procurement Fraud

Deceptive practices in the purchasing of goods, services, or construction, such as bid rigging, kickbacks, submission of false invoices, or manipulating tendering processes.

Fraud

Intentional deception to secure unfair or unlawful gain, which can include theft of funds, intellectual property theft, or misrepresentation of academic credentials.

Misconduct

Any improper behaviour or professional failure by an employee or student that violates rules, regulations, or standards of conduct and necessitates disciplinary action.

Plagiarism

Presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own without proper attribution, applying to academic work, research, and official documents.

Sexual Harassment

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile or offensive environment.

Weak System / Procedure

Reporting systemic failures, loopholes, or deficiencies in internal controls, policies, or standard operating procedures that create opportunities for corruption or errors.

Bribery

The act of giving or receiving money, gifts, or favors to influence a person's official action or judgment in favor of the giver.

False Claim

Intentionally submitting inaccurate or fraudulent information to receive money, benefits, or privileges from the University (e.g., false travel claims, scholarship fraud).

QUALITY COMPLAINT

To ensure an effective investigation, a valid complaint should contain details addressing:

When the incident happened?
When the violation was committed?
Who was involved?
What type of violation took place?
How the violation was conducted?

WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION

Informers shall be protected by the USM Whistleblower Protection Policy or the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 [Act 711].

USM Whistleblower Protection Policy

HOW TO LODGE COMPLAINTS

Any person can lodge complaints related to misconduct and irregularities committed by USM Staffs and Students. You can file your complaint with us through four available channels:

1. Write In To (Email)

Please click the button below or scan the QR Code to email us directly:

EMAIL US

Scan QR Code to Email

2. Walk-In / Letter

Integrity Unit
Legal Office
Level 1, Building E42, Chancellery 2
Universiti Sains Malaysia
11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia

Scan QR Code for Location (Google Maps)

3. Call Us

04-653 6416 Dr. Mohd Rodzi Ahmad

04-653 6595 Mrs. Noreen Afzan Roslan

4. Integrity Complaint Form

To fill in the complaint form, please select your category:

USM STAFF OR STUDENT PUBLIC

ACTIVITIES & INITIATIVES

1. INTEGRITY DAY USM 2025

November 3, 2025

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) marked its Integrity Day 2025 with a renewed commitment to strengthening ethical governance, transparency, and accountability across the university ecosystem. The annual celebration, organised by the USM Integrity Unit, brought together academic leaders, administrative staff, students, and strategic partners to reinforce the institution’s role as a model of integrity-driven governance in Malaysian higher education.

The event was conducted at Tuanku Syed Putra Hall with the theme:

Integriti Teras Kesejahteraan Negara

2. University Drug Free Workplace Program

July 23, 2025

In conjunction with University Drug Free Workplace, Integrity Unit visited Pusat Pemulihan Penagihan Narkotik (PUSPEN), Bukit Mertajam, Penang for social responsibility program. The program consists of motivational talks by Puan Faudziah Abdullah, Senior Psychology Officer USM to all the PUSPEN residents. This program was supported by National Anti-Drugs Agency.

PUSPEN Bukit Mertajam, Penang is one of centre that provides voluntary drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation pursuant to Section 8(3)(a) of the Drug Dependants (Treatment & Rehabilitation) Act 1983. This centre offers great facilities to any welcoming drug users, abusers, or addicts for treatment.

3. Program on Governance, Integrity, and Anti-Corruption Strengthening Module

June 11, 2025

Program on Governance, Integrity, and Anti-Corruption Strengthening Module has been delivered to the Senior Officers USM to enhance the knowledge on aspect of governance, integrity dan anti corruption. This program was collaborated with Penang MACC.

EMPOWERING YOUTH

Realising the importance of the power of youth impact, UI@USM has been mandated to inspire, engage, and empower USM's students towards sustainability and leadership capacity in fighting corruption and upholding integrity values.

Thus, through Angkatan Mahasiswa Anti Rasuah (AMAR) and Sekretariat Rakan Integriti Malaysia (SRIM), UI@USM works closely with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to supervise the empowerment of youth activism on integrity and anti-corruption.

AMAR and SRIM serve as key mediums for youth to inculcate good values, prevent corruption, and curb the abuse of power among students. Ideally, AMAR has fostered the formation of anti-corruption groups that undertake activities ranging from awareness campaigns to policy advocacy both within and beyond university campuses.

Angkatan Mahasiswa Anti Rasuah (AMAR)

Sekretariat Rakan Integriti Malaysia (SRIM)

Collaboration with MACC (SPRM)

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS GALLERY

GOVERNANCE & INTEGRITY ARTICLES

Legal & Compliance

False Claims and The Remedies

False claims refer to any submission of information, documents, or declarations that are knowingly false, misleading, or fabricated for the purpose of obtaining financial benefits, academic advantage, or administrative approval. Common examples include inflated travel claims, fictitious procurement invoices, false attendance records, and misrepresentation in research-related documentation.

Legal Framework: False claims are serious offences governed by Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 (providing false documents to mislead a principal), the Penal Code (cheating, forgery, and false statements), and the Financial Procedure Act 1957 (breach of financial discipline).

Remedies for false claims in public universities operate at multiple levels. Legally, offenders may face criminal prosecution, fines, imprisonment, or restitution of misappropriated funds.

Administratively, universities may impose disciplinary action, including suspension, demotion, or termination of service. Institutions also strengthen internal controls through audits, verification processes, digital claim systems, and segregation of duties to prevent manipulation. Preventive measures such as integrity training, awareness programmes, and whistleblowing channels further support a culture of transparency and accountability.

Ultimately, addressing false claims is essential to safeguarding public resources, maintaining institutional credibility, and upholding the integrity values expected of Malaysia’s higher education sector.

Public Service Guidelines

5 Key Rules on Gifts in the Public Service

In the public service, gifts are not just symbols of appreciation — they can become integrity issues if misused. The guiding principles are intention, value, and context. Guidelines set out under Pekeliling Perkhidmatan Bilangan 3 Tahun 1998 and updated MyPPSM Ceraian UP.7.2.5 regulate gifts, hospitality, and sponsorships to prevent conflicts of interest.

1. Avoid High-Value Gifts

Cash, shares, luxury items, or significant value items are strictly prohibited as they can be considered bribery.

2. Small Tokens Allowed with Conditions

Plaques, pens, books, or promotional items are acceptable ONLY if they do not create a conflict of interest.

3. No Gifts from Official Dealings

Gifts from parties with official dealings are not allowed. Exceptions require Head of Department approval.

4. Record All Gift Acceptance

Any accepted gift must be logged in the department's official register to ensure transparency and accountability.

5. Practice the “No Gift Policy”

Public servants are encouraged to politely decline gifts, even if offered "sincerely," to safeguard the image and integrity of the public service.

Statutory Governance

Act 605 and Public Universities in Malaysia: Ensuring Accountability and Integrity

Public universities in Malaysia are statutory bodies established by law and funded by the government. As custodians of significant public resources, they must operate with transparency and accountability. To safeguard these principles, the Statutory Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act 2000 (Act 605) provides a legal framework for discipline and financial responsibility.

What is Act 605?
The Statutory Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act 2000 governs two main areas:

Disciplinary Control: Establishes procedures for handling misconduct among officers.
Surcharge Mechanism: Allows recovery of financial losses caused by negligence or misconduct.

Disciplinary Control

Universities form disciplinary committees to investigate misconduct (e.g., insubordination, misuse of resources). Penalties range from suspension to dismissal.

Example: A lecturer misusing research funds may face disciplinary action under Act 605.

Financial Accountability

Officers can be surcharged for financial losses caused by negligence or improper actions. The surcharge is treated as a debt owed to the university.

Example: Approving payments without proper authorization leads to direct recovery from the officer.

Act 605 is a cornerstone of governance in Malaysia’s public universities. By combining disciplinary measures with financial accountability, it ensures that these institutions operate with integrity and responsibility while striking a balance with academic freedom.