KUCHING: The Sarawak Ombudsman will receive training assistance from the UK's Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) in complaint handling to enhance its operational capacity and investigative competencies.

PHSO's commitment was conveyed by its policy and public affairs manager Callum Boyd to Sarawak Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Integrity and Ombudsman), Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya, during a visit to the PSHO office in London on Oct 29.

"We identified many similarities between our organisations and it is heartening that the PHSO is willing to extend its training modules to us, some of which can be delivered online," Juanda said in a statement on Tuesday (Nov 4).

He added that the support will assist the Sarawak Ombudsman's capacity building and competency development.

The PHSO, an independent body reporting directly to the UK Parliament, investigates complaints related to the National Health Service (NHS) and other government departments.

Established in 1973, it has over 50 years of experience in upholding accountability and fairness in public services.

During the visit, Boyd provided in-depth briefings on the PHSO’s operations, investigative processes and other key aspects of its work.

The Sarawak delegation, which included chief ombudsman Datuk Seri Abdul Ghafur Shariff, deputy chief ombudsman Alexander Unya and ombudsmen Albert Tang and Toleyah Tioh, also visited King's College London and the University of Oxford to gather insights into administrative fairness, dispute resolution, and challenges facing ombudsman institutions from leading academicians.

"It was a privilege to hear from these distinguished professors. Their macro and societal perspectives on redressing public grievances will prove invaluable as we carry out our mandate," Ghafur said.

Juanda added that the visits would enhance the Sarawak Ombudsman's role in investigation and advocacy.