Integrity Demonstrates Government's Credibility

This is demonstration of integrity!

However, in Malaysia, one would not resigned and will be backed by the government and justified by its agencies. The acts will be covered. He/She will also be rewarded and even made a minister, or be moved to more senior positions.

Following news article adopted from TheMalaysianInsider.

Wine claimed as ‘food and beverage’, NZ minister resigns

WELLINGTON, Feb 25 – New Zealand Minister of Housing and Fisheries Phil Heatley (pic) on Thursday resigned after misuse of his ministerial credit card was revealed, reports China's Xinhua news agency.

Heatley told reporter at the Parliament that his decision came after he had a closer look at his ministerial credit card expenses for the past 18 months. He said they revealed an error in addition to that already in the public arena.

Heatley claimed money for two bottles of wine, writing food and beverages on the form, after already being caught out for using his ministerial credit card to pay for a family trip.

Heatley has already repaid 175 NZ dollars (US$123) for what he said at the time was for food and beverages at a National Party conference.

Heatley said he was not as familiar with the rules around credit card use as he should have been, and was careless with its use. He has asked the Auditor-General to conduct an independent inquiry into his accounts.

“I want to resign, I haven’t lived up to my own standards,” an emotional Heatley told reporters. He would remain in Parliament as member of parliament for Whangarei region,

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key told a press conference on Thursday that he accepted the resignation with regret. Key said his office has been working with the Audit Office since Wednesday in regards to Heatley’s expense claims.

A full investigation will begin on Thursday afternoon. For the time being, Maurice Williamson and David Carter will take on the housing and fisheries portfolios respectively.

New Zealand Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee also apologised this week and repaid 151.90 NZ dollars (about US$107) spent outside the rules in September, 2009 for a lunch with his electorate staff.

Heatley was the second cabinet minister to resign in the past 12 month. Richard Worth was the first government minister to resign over inappropriate behaviour. – Bernama