KUCHING, June 14 — Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today said he will table a Bill in the coming state assembly to strengthen the state’s ombudsman system.

He said it will be modelled after the system in Sweden which is known for its efficient check-and-balance system.

He said an in-depth study of the Swedish system will be conducted before the Bill is drafted.

"I will lead a high-powered state delegation soon,” he told reporters after opening a seminar on the Collaboration and Prevention of Financial Crimes Seminar, jointly organised by the National Financial Crime Prevention Centre (NFCC), Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Inland Revenue Board.

The premier said Sarawak has its own system, but it needs to be strengthened to ensure proper oversight of the state administration.

He said with the passage of the Bill, the ombudsman will report directly to the state assembly, and not the Premier’s Department.

"We don’t want people to claim that the strengthened ombudsman is biased,” he assured.

He said the existing ombudsman has its own head and a deputy minister in charge.

"We need to strengthen our ombudsman system so that we are responsible for our actions, and we must to have officers with integrity in the state administration,” he said.