26 Oct 2010

MACC opens probes into Audit Report discrepancies

In a swift move by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), it has opened several probes into the discrepancies highlighted in the 2009 Auditor-General's report.In a statement today, MACC said it had opened 13 investigation papers, 14 initial investigation papers and five examination and discussion papers.“Of the 13 investigation papers, three are in Johor, six are being investigated by the Putrajaya headquarters, two are in Terengganu and one each in Selangor and Sarawak,” said the statement.

“Of the 14 initial investigation papers opened, six are being probed in Perak, two in the Federal Territory of Labuan, two in Sabah, two in Kedah, and one each in Terengganu and Selangor.”

MACC has also opened five examination and discussion papers of which three are in Johor and one each in Labuan and Sarawak.

The statement added that the commission will continue to identify the issues raised in the annual report for the purpose of investigation under the MACC Act 2009.

Some of the discrepancies highlighted by the AG's report since yesterday included the abuse of the government's allocation for its economic stimulus programme since 2008, including the purchase of chandeliers and wallpaper for the Labuan airbase, Wilayah Laut camp in Langkawi, and also the Lumut naval base.

There are also reports of an army hospital being scaled down but not in terms of its costs.
The MACC have, however, not indicated which among the complaints highlighted were being investigated.

MACC's statement and probe came after revelations showed Malaysia still remains in 56th place in Transparency International's (TI) latest Corruption Perceptions Index. Although it remains at the same level as last year its score has dropped from 4.5 to 4.4..

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/146467

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