Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Alhamdulillahi Rabbil 'Alamin. All praise is due to Allah SWT, for by His permission and mercy, we are able to gather today for the Management Meeting of UPM Press.

May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW, his family, his companions, and all Muslims who steadfastly follow his teachings until the end of time.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,

This morning, I would like to share a brief tazkirah entitled "Integrity in the Implementation of Good Governance at UPM Press."

When we speak of integrity, it is not limited to issues such as corruption, financial misappropriation, or abuse of power. Integrity carries a much broader meaning. It is the alignment between what we say, what we promise, what we do, and what we are accountable for.

In Islam, integrity is closely associated with the concept of amanah (trust). Allah SWT says in Surah An-Nisa', verse 58:

"Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due, and when you judge between people, judge with justice."

Every responsibility entrusted to us is a trust. The positions we hold are a trust. The authority to make decisions is a trust. Financial allocations are a trust. The information entrusted to our care is also a trust. Likewise, manuscripts, copyrights, royalties, publication records, procurement matters, and our relationships with authors and customers are all trusts for which we will ultimately be held accountable.

As members of UPM Press, our responsibility extends beyond publishing books. We are entrusted with managing knowledge, ideas, research outputs, and the University's intellectual assets. Every publication bears the name of Universiti Putra Malaysia. Therefore, any negligence, delay, unfairness, or weakness in our work processes affects not only the individuals involved but also the reputation of the University itself.

Distinguished guests,

Integrity in governance must begin with the little things. At times, we may regard delays in responding to authors as something insignificant. Some may think that delays in processing documents are not a serious matter. Others may view the use of office facilities for personal purposes as a minor issue.

However, integrity seldom collapses because of a single major offence. More often, it is eroded gradually—when small mistakes are tolerated, delays become habitual, negligence is accepted as normal, and non-compliance with procedures begins to be regarded as part of the work culture.

That is why the Prophet Muhammad SAW reminded us that each of us is a leader, and each of us will be held accountable for those under our responsibility.

At UPM Press, one does not need to be the Director or a Head of Division to be a leader. Every officer and staff member is a leader within the scope of their respective responsibilities. Editorial officers are entrusted with the manuscripts under their care. Design officers are responsible for ensuring the visual quality of our publications. Marketing officers are accountable for promotion, sales, and customer relations. Finance officers are responsible for every financial transaction and expenditure. Administrative staff, meanwhile, are entrusted with records management, correspondence, and service delivery.

When every individual fulfils their trust faithfully, the organisation becomes stronger. Conversely, when someone neglects their responsibilities on the assumption that others will take care of them, the organisation's governance inevitably weakens.

Integrity also requires us to uphold justice in every decision we make. Allah SWT says in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 8:

"Stand firmly for Allah as witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people cause you to depart from justice. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness."

In the context of publishing, justice means that every manuscript must be evaluated solely on the basis of its quality and merit. We must not grant preferential treatment because of personal relationships, position, rank, or any vested interest. The processes of evaluation, editing, approval, printing, and marketing should all be carried out in accordance with the established policies, procedures, and standards.

If there is a conflict of interest, it should be declared. If a mistake has been made, we must have the courage to acknowledge it. If a decision needs to be corrected, we should be prepared to rectify it. Admitting a mistake is not a sign of weakness. Rather, the courage to acknowledge and correct one's mistakes is a mark of maturity and integrity.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would now like to highlight several guiding principles that can help us build governance founded on integrity at UPM Press.

First, perform every task with the awareness that Allah SWT is always watching over us. Human supervision has its limits. A head of department cannot observe everything, and no system is capable of detecting every weakness. However, nothing escapes the knowledge and supervision of Allah, not even the smallest of deeds.

Second, adhere to the policies, procedures, and regulations that have been established. Procedures are not intended to make our work more difficult. Rather, they exist to protect the organisation, safeguard its officers, and ensure that every decision can be properly accounted for. If existing procedures are no longer suitable, we may propose improvements. However, we must never disregard them at our own discretion.

Third, document every decision clearly. Good governance requires evidence, proper documentation, and an auditable decision trail. Important instructions should be recorded, approvals properly documented, and any changes to the scope of work, costs, or publication timelines communicated transparently. Comprehensive records help prevent misunderstandings, disputes, and allegations in the future.

Fourth, avoid waste and safeguard the organisation's assets. Every ringgit spent is a trust. Printing, procurement of materials, programme implementation, supplier appointments, and the use of office facilities should all be carried out prudently. The true value of any procurement lies not merely in obtaining the lowest price, but in ensuring quality, necessity, transparency, and value to the University.

Fifth, protect confidentiality and intellectual property. Manuscripts submitted to us are not public documents. Authors' personal data, reviewers' reports, financial information, contracts, and the organisation's strategic plans must not be disclosed without proper authorisation. Any breach of confidentiality not only undermines trust but may also result in legal implications and damage the University's reputation.

Sixth, honour your commitments and manage your time responsibly. When we promise a timeline to authors or customers, we must make every effort to fulfil it. If delays are unavoidable, inform them promptly and provide an honest explanation. Authors and customers should never be left wondering without any response. Silence itself can erode confidence in the organisation.

Seventh, offer advice with wisdom and receive constructive criticism with an open heart. An organisation with integrity is not one that never makes mistakes. Rather, it is one that does not conceal its mistakes, has the courage to address its shortcomings, and is committed to making the necessary improvements.

Distinguished guests,

UPM Press carries the good name of the University at both the national and international levels. The greater our achievements, the greater the trust and responsibility that rest upon our shoulders. Recognition, success, and accomplishments should never make us complacent or careless. Instead, they should inspire us to be even more vigilant, transparent, and committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality.

The success of an organisation is not measured solely by the number of books published, sales generated, manuscripts received, or indexing achievements. True success is also measured by how those accomplishments are attained.

Have we achieved them through the right processes?

Have the rights of every stakeholder been safeguarded?

Have the organisation's resources been managed with integrity?

Have decisions been made fairly?

Have our authors and customers been treated with professionalism and respect?

Are we prepared to be accountable to Allah SWT for every action we take?

 

If the answer to these questions is yes, then, insya-Allah, our work will not only contribute to the success of the organisation but will also be regarded as an act of worship.

Before I conclude this tazkirah, let us each reflect upon ourselves: What trust has been placed in our hands today? Have we fulfilled it to the very best of our ability? Are there tasks left unfinished, decisions yet to be made, promises yet to be honoured, or mistakes that still need to be corrected?

Let us begin the change with ourselves. Let us not wait for others to become more principled before we do the right thing. Let us not wait for the system to become perfect before acting with integrity. Integrity begins when we continue to choose what is right, even when no one is watching, praising, or acknowledging our efforts.

May Allah SWT guide us to remain trustworthy in carrying out our duties, just in making decisions, honest in our actions, and sincere in serving others. May every effort we undertake at UPM Press be accepted as a righteous deed that brings lasting benefit to the University, the community, and the nation.

Let us pray:

O Allah, make us among Your trustworthy servants. Grant us the strength to do what is right, the courage to reject what is wrong, and the sincerity to fulfil every responsibility entrusted to us. Keep us far from betrayal, negligence, arrogance, and selfishness. Bless our work and make UPM Press an organisation that excels with integrity and continues to benefit society as a whole.

Amin ya Rabbal ‘alamin.

Thank you.

Wabillahi taufik walhidayah, wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Profesor Ir. Ts. Is. Dr. Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan

Director

UPM PRESS

Friday, August 7th 2026 / 23 SAFAR 1448 HIJRI

Date of Input: 07/08/2026 | Updated: 07/08/2026 | marlina_is