Sabah launches ‘Kedai Jujur’ to cultivate integrity

In an endeavor to instill values of honesty and transparency among school students, the Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, inaugurated the ‘Kedai Jujur’ program. This innovative initiative, launched at SMK Sri Nangka in Tuaran, marks a significant step towards nurturing integrity from a young age. The program, spearheaded by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), is designed to educate and inspire the youth to make honest payments, even in the absence of supervision.

The ‘Kedai Jujur’ concept, which translates to “Honest Shop,” introduces unmanned shops within schools, allowing students, parents, and members of the community to select items and make payments by placing cash in designated boxes. These shops sell “fast-moving items” without the need for constant monitoring during school hours.

Teaching moral habits for a brighter future

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “This honest shop is one of the initiatives in preparing school students with the application of good values so that they become a lifeline when they grow up later.”

The ‘Kedai Jujur’ program is not profit-oriented; instead, it serves as an experimental learning method aimed at nurturing children’s appreciation for making honest payments for goods taken. The goal is to instill moral habits of honesty and integrity starting from the school environment so that they become second nature as students grow up.

Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor elaborated on this, saying, “Such moral habits (of honesty and integrity) need to be applied starting from the school environment so that it becomes (normal practice) when they grow up. The Kedai Jujur concept can be a foundation to instill the right values in our children.”

Shaping a generation of ethical citizens

The ‘Kedai Jujur’ program, initiated by MACC in 2021, is carried out in cooperation with Petra Energy Berhad, the Education Department, and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Association (Pakar). It aligns with the National Anti-Corruption Plan 2019-23, with the objective of strengthening integrity at the school level.

The Sabah Chief Minister, while acknowledging the collaborative efforts behind this initiative, praised the MACC of Sabah, Petra Energy Berhad, the Sabah State Education Department, and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Organization (PAKAR) for their role in implementing the ‘Kedai Jujur’ program across nine schools and one educational guesthouse in Sabah.

The ‘Kedai Jujur’ program has set a significant precedent in Sabah, paving the way for a future generation of honest and transparent citizens. By encouraging students to make ethical choices in everyday transactions, this initiative aspires to create a society where integrity and honesty are held in high regard, ultimately contributing to the nation’s moral and ethical development.