Challenges to Good Governance

1.0 Introduction Recently the terms "governance" and "good governance" are being increasingly used in development literature. Bad governance is being increasingly regarded as one of the root causes of all evil within our societies. Simply put “governance" means: the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented). Since governance is the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented, an analysis of governance focuses on the formal and informal actors involved in decision-making and implementing the decisions made and the formal and informal structures that have been set in place to arrive at and implement the decision. Government is one of the actors in governance. Other actors involved in governance vary depending on the level of government that is under discussion. Governance is consistent with the rule of law and the spirit of the law; does not result from nor can it be justified by illegal or legally-suspect actions. The absence of good governance can undermine the legitimacy of public institutions and disrupt policy goals. In order to achieve the desirable concerns of management and governance, administrative reform policies have emphasized not only reforms of the civil service system, public finance, and state-owned enterprises, but also restructuring in market liberalization, privatization, deregulation, and decentralization. Policy measures need to emphasize professional efficiency and ethical norms and values so as to reduce bureaucratic corruption, social inequalities, and political influence in administration otherwise called for and from using the state to distort private exchanges (Norlida et al., 2011). Based on recent experiences, it is crucial to conceptualize the administrative reform at work in both driving and restraining change and in turn promote efficient governance and ethical practices within the state bureaucracy. The implication is that more often than not, good governance could often have positive effects on the economy and development. 1.1 What Is Good Governance? Good Governance is among other things, participatory, transparent and accountable. It is also effective and equitable and it promotes the Rule of Law. Good governance ensures that political, social and economic priorities are based on broad consensus in society and that the voice of the poorest and the most vulnerable are heard in decision making over the allocation of development processes. “Good governance” is a normative conception of the values according to which the act of governance is realized, and the method by which groups of social actors interact in a certain social context. The lack of a generally accepted definition of the concept is compensated by the identification of principles that strengthen good governance in any society. The most often enlisted principles include: participation, rule of law, transparency of decision- making or openness, accountability, predictability or coherence, and effectiveness. The international donor community generally shares the view that these principles stand at the foundation of sustainable development. The first characteristic refers to equal participation by all members of society as the key element of good governance, with everyone having a role in the process of decision-making. Secondly, good governance implies the rule of law maintained through the impartiality and effectiveness of the legal system. Rule of law also means the protection of human rights (particularly those of minorities), independent judiciary and impartial and incorruptible law enforcement agencies. The rule of law involves a variety of conditions, being strongly connected to good administration of justice, good legal framework, verified dispute mechanisms, equal access to justice, and the independence of judiciary workers (lawyers, judges). Good governance is also based on the transparency of the decision-making process, which ensures that information is freely available and accessible to those involved or affected by the decisions taken. Transparency therefore means free access to information. Last, but not least, accountability and responsibilities (of the institutions, just as much as of the civil society) are key requirements of good governance, with all of the participants in the political and economic processes being accountable for their decisions to each other. 2.0 Challenges to Good Governance 2.1 Corruption In every society, a large percentage of national expenditure is swallowed up by corrupt practices. In Malaysia, combating corruption, declaration of the assets of all public and political officials, more openness about political donations and a semblance of openness and competitiveness in the tender process are urgent tasks. Malaysia has been ranked as one of the most corrupt nations and listed as country which is most like to take shortcuts to meet targets when economics times are tough, according to a recent survey by Ernst & Young, signalling that the government’s Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) has failed in its role to transform the economy (Rakyat Times, October, 2, 2014)  According to an international study by Transparency International UK‟s Defence and Security Programme (TI-DSP) had stated that Malaysia is a “very high” risk of corruption in the procurement of defence equipment. It is because the amount of money involved in contract is enormous. Another latest report, Asia-Pacific Fraud Survey Report Series 2013 had stated that Malaysia has the highest levels of bribery and corruption anywhere in the world. Our survey finds that bribery and corrupt practices are prevalent in Malaysia. Thirty-nine per cent of respondents say that bribery or corrupt practices happen widely in Malaysia, which is nearly double the Asia-Pacific average of 21%. In addition, 29% of respondents say that bribery or corrupt practices have increased due to tough economic times and increased competition, which is the third highest amongst the countries surveyed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has staked his premiership on six National Key Result Areas (NKRA), of which “Reducing Corruption” was one of the most important. Najib and his team have taken great pains to point out to Malaysia and foreigners the efforts and successes in achieving the key performance indicators (KPIs) of the NKRA. In 2011, “Pemandu” boasted that the initiatives taken have shown tremendous results in eradicating corruption. The government also pointed out that “the effectiveness of the actions taken is being slowly felt and acknowledged by the general public”- September 27, 2013. In July, (2013), civil servants were also listed as the third-most corrupt, according to local respondents to global anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International's Global Corruption Barometer survey. To prevent corruption the government was also set up the Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) as one of the mechanisms through which members of the public could lodge complaints on malpractices and abuse of power in the public service. The Auditor General's Department has been set up to audit Public Accounts and to ensure that public expenditure, revenue and assets are properly managed and accounted for according to the law and established procedures. The Malaysian Administrative, Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) have been established for the purpose of initiating changes in government administration to ensure the creation of a modern, competent and effective public service.( Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Pelan Integriti Negara, 2004) 2.2 Political Intervene It is important for civil servants to have neutral attitude when it comes to political believe. For example, the results of the 2013 general election has resulted in four opposition controlled states, namely Selangor, Penang, Kedah and Kelantan . Thus the civil servants in the four states concerned should act wisely in addressing an issue involving the federal and state governments. In this case it was a big challenge to apply rational thinking among employees as an action that seems a double standard would create a negative perception of both public and private governance service image. Public servant should be neutral from the politic when they are on job position. They can’t choose to divide by political view when they are doing their job, they should fair to all citizens who need the public service from them. For example, Kelantan are state that under Parti Islam Malaysia (PAS) but the federal government are from Barisan Nasional (BN), if the state of Kelantan need some approval some more budget from federal are too difficult. As a government or public servant, they must serve our nation first and put their ideology besides when they are on job. Every servant should not show any tendency of political affiliation in the performance of daily tasks. Each servant must have a clear focus on the job, which is to serve the people and not bow to political pressure. They have to act rationally and not to be obsessive political belief and make sure their task have to be implemented in a fair and equitable manner (Harold Crouch, 1996). 2.3 Workplace Deviance Ethics is a set of moral principles or values that defines right and wrong for a person or group. Ethical behaviour, thus advocates accepted principles of right and wrong. Workplace deviance refers to unethical behaviour that violates organizational norms concerning right and wrong. If a management was unaware of workplace deviance, the organization could not be held responsible for an employee’s unethical acts. Experts estimate that workplace deviance alone may cost organization as much as billions a year. There are four types of workplace deviance are production deviance, property deviance, political deviance and personal aggression. While production and property deviance harm organizations, political deviance and personal aggression are unethical behaviours that hurt particular people within the organizations. Production deviance refers to unethical workplace conduct that hurts the quality and quantity of work. For example are leaving work early, taking excessively long leaves, working slowly or calling in sick to avoid work. Property deviance refers to unethical workplace conduct that is aimed at organization property. For example, the act of sabotage or vandalism, stealing from the workplace, damaging organization equipment, embezzling organization funds or overcharging customers for services and then pocketing the difference. Political deviance refers to unethical workplace conduct that causes harm to others. For example, using one’s influence to harm others in an organization, making decisions based on favouritism rather than performance, spreading rumours or falsely blaming others for mistakes they did not commit. Personal aggression refers to unethical workplace conduct, such as being hostile or aggressive towards others. It also includes behaviour such as sexual harassment, verbal abuse and making threats. 3.0 Conclusion It is clearly that governance means much more than government.. Good governance considers accountability, transparency, openness, predictability, participation, political legitimacy, freedom of association and participation in the process of governance, an established legal framework based on the rule of law and the independence of judiciary to protect human rights and freedom of information and expression. Good governance will avoid any corruption and mismanagement. Obviously, it shows that private sector is the main engine for economic growth and development while the public sector playing as a facilitative and supportive role in the process. Malaysia is a developing country that needs to focus on ethics and guideline in organisation to minimize any wrongdoing. There are various unethical issues and malpractices involving both the public and private sector in Malaysia. One major problems affecting public and private good governance is corruption. Generally the private sector is seen as the “giver” while public officials the “receiver”. Good governance in public and private sector is important to avoid abuse of power and position, wastage of resources, poor delivery system and erosion of competitiveness. The public’s needs are rapidly changing as society’s become more diverse, fragmented and complex. They expect the public service to deliver more of these services accurately, better, faster but cost-effective. The ability to deliver more choice services, more transparency and more accountability is what is needed to re-establish public trust in the public service. All of this must be grounded on good governance. It must be recognized that to achieve the ultimate state of good governance, all sectors within the country must “live and abide” by its principles. It is clear that good governance in all sectors is a critical prerequisite for any country to achieve social and economic development. REFERENCES Building a more ethical business environment, Asia-Pacific Fraud Survey 2013. 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