Kenapa Penubuhan Ombudsman Penting?

Oleh Daniel John Jambun, 28-9-2025

SERUAN untuk tadbir urus yang baik dan kebertanggungjawaban di Sabah semakin lantang kedengaran sejak beberapa tahun lalu, khususnya apabila negeri ini terus berdepan dengan isu berpanjangan berkaitan rasuah, penyalahgunaan kuasa, serta kelemahan dalam penyampaian perkhidmatan awam.

Walaupun Malaysia secara keseluruhannya mempunyai institusi seperti Biro Pengaduan Awam dan Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM), kedua-duanya bersifat persekutuan dan sering dianggap kurang bebas.

Bagi Sabah, dengan hak-hak uniknya di bawah Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 (MA63) serta desakan berterusan untuk lebih autonomi, penubuhan sebuah Ombudsman Sabah adalah tepat pada masanya dan sangat diperlukan.

Gambar hiasan... Daniel John Jambun (kanan sekali) bersama Ketua Bahagian Warisan Tuaran, Datuk Aliasgar Basri dan rakan-rakan di Tuaran semalam.

Apakah itu Ombudsman?

Ombudsman ialah sebuah badan bebas yang ditubuhkan melalui undang-undang untuk menyiasat aduan rakyat terhadap salah tadbir, penyalahgunaan kuasa, rasuah, atau amalan tidak adil oleh agensi kerajaan, pihak berkuasa tempatan, serta syarikat berkaitan kerajaan (GLC).

Ombudsman berperanan sebagai watchdog rakyat — memastikan ketelusan, keadilan, dan akauntabiliti dalam pentadbiran.

Asas Perlembagaan

Walaupun Perlembagaan Persekutuan tidak secara khusus menyebut tentang Ombudsman, baik Parlimen mahupun Dewan Undangan Negeri mempunyai kuasa untuk menubuhkan badan sebegini melalui undang-undang khusus.

Di bawah Jadual Kesembilan, kerajaan negeri mempunyai bidang kuasa terhadap perkhidmatan awam negeri, kerajaan tempatan, dan pentadbiran, sekali gus memberi Sabah kuasa perlembagaan untuk menubuhkan Pejabat Ombudsman sendiri. Hal ini tidak bertentangan dengan Perlembagaan; sebaliknya, ia adalah langkah progresif dalam kerangka perlembagaan.

Ombudsman di Negeri-Negeri Lain

Sabah bukan bermula dari kosong. Negeri-negeri lain di Malaysia telah pun mencuba model seumpamanya:

Negeri Institusi/Mekanisme Tahun Ditubuhkan Tahap Kebebasan Skop & Fungsi Catatan

Selangor Pejabat Ombudsman Selangor (badan berkanun) 2016 Lapor kepada DUN Menyiasat aduan terhadap agensi negeri, PBT, GLC. Satu-satunya Ombudsman negeri sebenar di Malaysia.

Sarawak Unit Integriti & Ombudsman Negeri (SIOU) 2018 di bawah Jabatan Ketua Menteri Menangani aduan, memantau integriti, penyampaian perkhidmatan lebih mirip unit integriti, tidak bebas.

Pulau Pinang Jawatankuasa Aduan & prinsip CAT 2008 dan seterusnya terikat kepada eksekutif Saluran aduan terhadap PBT, tadbir urus .Tiada undang-undang Ombudsman rasmi, lebih kepada mekanisme dalaman.

Sabah tiada — aduan ditangani oleh Biro Pengaduan Awam persekutuan atau agensi sedia ada. Bergantung kepada agensi persekutuan/negeri Ketinggalan berbanding Selangor & Sarawak; tiada Ombudsman bebas.

Perbandingan ini menunjukkan Selangor mendahului dengan sebuah Ombudsman berkanun, manakala Sarawak dan Pulau Pinang hanya memiliki mekanisme separa atau pentadbiran. Sabah pula masih belum mempunyai Ombudsman sama sekali.

Mengapa Sabah Memerlukan Ombudsman Sendiri

1. Mengukuhkan Akauntabiliti – Sabah berdepan skandal berulang melibatkan salah guna dana dan kuasa. Ombudsman menyediakan saluran bebas untuk rakyat membuat aduan.

2. Memperbaiki Penyampaian Perkhidmatan Awam – Isu berpanjangan seperti gangguan air, infrastruktur lemah, serta ketidakcekapan memerlukan sebuah badan yang mampu menyiasat salah tadbir dan mencadangkan pembaharuan.

3. Menegakkan Semangat MA63 – Autonomi Sabah bukan sekadar soal hasil, tetapi juga soal tadbir urus. Penubuhan Ombudsman selaras dengan perjuangan negeri untuk penentuan nasib sendiri.

4. Membina Kepercayaan Awam – Ombudsman bebas menzahirkan komitmen politik terhadap integriti, sekali gus meningkatkan keyakinan rakyat dan pelabur.

Cadangan untuk Sabah

1. Menggubal Undang-Undang Ombudsman Sabah – Dewan Undangan Negeri perlu meluluskan Enakmen Ombudsman bagi menubuhkan pejabat ini sebagai sebuah badan berkanun bebas.

2. Menjamin Kebebasan – Ombudsman mesti melapor terus kepada DUN, bukan eksekutif. Bajetnya perlu diperuntukkan daripada Kumpulan Wang Disatukan Negeri.

3. Pelantikan Telus – Ombudsman hendaklah dilantik dengan persetujuan dwipartisan DUN untuk menjamin ketidakberpihakan.

4. Bidang Kuasa Luas – Ombudsman perlu diberi kuasa menyiasat agensi negeri, PBT, GLC, dan kontraktor yang mengurus perkhidmatan awam.

5. Kesedaran Awam – Penerangan awam mesti digiatkan supaya rakyat Sabah faham hak mereka untuk membuat aduan dan mendapatkan keadilan.

Kesimpulan

Penubuhan Ombudsman Sabah bukanlah sekadar pembaharuan birokrasi; ia adalah langkah berani ke arah tadbir urus yang lebih baik, kebertanggungjawaban, dan pentadbiran berorientasikan rakyat. Dengan Selangor menjadi penanda aras dan Sarawak mengambil langkah separa, sudah tiba masanya untuk Sabah bertindak.

Ombudsman boleh menjadi batu asas kepercayaan antara kerajaan dan rakyat — memastikan kuasa awam sentiasa digunakan untuk kepentingan rakyat.

Daniel John Jambun

Presiden

Change Advocate Movement Sabah (CAMOS)

The English Version:

The Case for Establishing a Sabah Ombudsman

Introduction

The call for good governance and accountability in Sabah has grown louder over the years, especially as the state grapples with persistent issues of corruption, abuse of power, and inefficiency in public service delivery. 

While Malaysia at large has institutions like the Public Complaints Bureau and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), these remain federal in nature and are often perceived as lacking in independence.

For Sabah, with its unique rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and ongoing calls for greater autonomy, the establishment of a Sabah Ombudsman is both timely and necessary.

What is an Ombudsman?

An Ombudsman is an independent body established by law to investigate complaints from the public against maladministration, abuse of power, corruption, or unfair practices by government agencies, local authorities, and government-linked companies (GLCs). 

The Ombudsman acts as the people’s watchdog — ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability in governance.

Constitutional Basis

While the Federal Constitution does not explicitly mention an Ombudsman, both Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies have the power to establish such bodies through enabling legislation. 

Under the Ninth Schedule, state governments have jurisdiction over state public services, local government, and administration, giving Sabah the constitutional authority to set up its own Ombudsman Office. This would not be unconstitutional; rather, it would be a progressive step within the constitutional framework.

Ombudsman in Other States

Sabah is not starting from scratch. Other Malaysian states have already experimented with Ombudsman-like models:

State Institution/Mechanism Year Established Independence Level Scope & Functions Remarks

Selangor Selangor Ombudsman Office (statutory body) 2016 – reports to State Assembly Investigates complaints against state agencies, local councils, GLCs. First and only true state-level Ombudsman in Malaysia

Sarawak State Integrity & Ombudsman Unit (SIOU) 2018 – under Chief Minister’s Dept . Handles complaints, monitors integrity, service delivery More like an integrity unit, not independent.

Penang Complaints Committee & CAT principles 2008 onwards – tied to executive Channels complaints on local councils, governance. No formal Ombudsman law; more internal grievance redress

Sabah None – complaints handled by federal Public Complaints Bureau or State Complaints limited to existing state/federal agencies. Lagging behind Selangor & Sarawak; no independent Ombudsman

This comparison shows that Selangor leads the way with a statutory Ombudsman Office, while Sarawak and Penang have partial or administrative mechanisms. Sabah, by contrast, has no Ombudsman at all.

Why Sabah Needs Its Own Ombudsman

1. To Strengthen Accountability – Sabah has faced repeated scandals involving misuse of funds and abuse of power. An Ombudsman would provide an independent channel for citizens to lodge complaints.

2. To Improve Public Service Delivery – Longstanding issues like water shortages, poor infrastructure, and inefficiency demand a body that can investigate maladministration and recommend reforms.

3. To Uphold MA63 Spirit – Sabah’s autonomy is not just about revenue; it is also about governance. Establishing an Ombudsman aligns with the state’s push for greater self-determination.

4. To Build Public Trust – An independent Ombudsman signals political commitment to integrity, thereby boosting confidence among citizens and investors alike.

Recommendations for Sabah

1. Enact a Sabah Ombudsman Law – The State Legislative Assembly should pass an Ombudsman Enactment establishing the office as an independent statutory body.

2. Ensure Independence – The Ombudsman must report directly to the State Assembly, not the executive. Its budget should be charged to the State Consolidated Fund.

3. Transparent Appointment – The Ombudsman should be appointed with bipartisan State Assembly approval to ensure impartiality.

4. Broad Jurisdiction – Empower the Ombudsman to investigate state agencies, local councils, GLCs, and contractors handling public services.

5. Public Awareness – Conduct outreach so Sabahans understand their rights to file complaints and seek justice.

Conclusion

The establishment of a Sabah Ombudsman is not merely a bureaucratic reform; it is a bold step towards better governance, accountability, and people-centred administration. With Selangor setting the benchmark and Sarawak taking partial steps, it is high time for Sabah to act. 

The Ombudsman can become a cornerstone of trust between the government and the people — ensuring that public power is always exercised for the benefit of the rakyat.

Daniel John Jambun President

Change Advocate Movement Sabah (CAMOS).#~Borneo Herald™