KOTA BHARU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is closely monitoring several ministries for potential procurement irregularities.
Chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said that the monitoring began at the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) following the openness and support demonstrated by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
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"There are several ministries on our radar that we see as having procurement-related issues," he said at a press conference after the Corruption Awareness Programme: MACC with East Zone Media here today.
Azam said the Commission has deployed four additional integrity officers for a joint exercise with Mindef, to address procurement leaks, an issue that he stressed requires serious attention as it concerns safeguarding public funds.
He reported that further discussions with the Defence Minister yesterday covered tender and quotation processes, adding that the procurement review will also cover the Navy and Air Force.
"Therefore, it is necessary for both MACC and the ministry to conduct a study, review, and audit. We must sit together to examine leaks and weaknesses in Standard Operating Procedures," he said.
Azam added that the Defence Minister agreed to involve relevant experts, including from the National Audit Department, to examine how leaks occur and identify cost-saving methods to ensure all purchases are conducted transparently and with integrity.
He said that the six-month review will begin shortly and clarified that the presence of MACC officers at Mindef is to examine procurement issues involving spare parts, maintenance and substantial military assets.
Meanwhile, MACC has arrested 27 public officials in the state from 2023 to date and recorded 406 reports of offences ranging from accepting and offering bribes, making false claims, and abuse of power.
"Investigations have been opened to conduct enquiries into individuals from various departments and backgrounds, including federal and state-level public officials," he said during a live broadcast on RTM Kelantan's Bual Bicara programme here today.
"There are NGOs that obtained government assistance but misused it. This also involves cooperatives and companies that received loans but were found to have misappropriated the funds.
"Additionally, procurement issues involving development projects and asset purchases have led to 26 investigations being opened. Procurement is a consistent issue across all states and is a major source of leakage," he emphasised.
He has also directed MACC officers to be more proactive this year in reducing such cases, including those involving minerals, illegal logging and unlawful land encroachment.
