Sidek Hassan

KUALA LUMPUR: Ministry secretaries-general, department heads and chief executives of government agencies have been asked to take immediate action against those found to be involved in power abuse, misappropriation and wastage of public funds as has been raised in the Auditor-General’s Report 2008.

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Sidek Hassan said the Special Task Force headed by him to study the report had agreed that the Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang write-in to the relevant parties concerned asking them to take prompt and appropriate action.

These actions are:

>> Conduct further investigations into power abuse cases, misappropriation and wastage of public funds that have been identified and take appropriate action against those involved – either disciplinary action under Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993 or recommend surcharge under the Financial Procedure Act 1957.

If it was proven the offence committed was a criminal case, a report has to be lodged either with the police or with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

>> Inform findings of investigations and action taken to the Auditor-General within one working week. The Auditor-General will then table the report received at the Special Task Force meeting; and

>> That disciplinary action can be taken against secretaries-general, department heads and chief executives for failing to take action within the stipulated period.

Sidek said in a statement yesterday the line of action has been agreed to by the Special Task Force at its second meeting on Nov 12.

Ambrin Buang

The meeting also agreed that the Attorney-General’s Department would prepare the procedural guidelines to serve as a guide to ministry secretaries-general, department heads and chief executives of government agencies.

The procedures are necessary to ensure action taken on the people implicated are not challenged in court, he said.

On cases involving ministry secretaries-general or department heads, he said the letter (from the Auditor-General) will be sent directly to the Public Service Department director-general.

Sidek said cases involving contractors or consultants will be reported to the professional body concerned and a copy of the report will be sent to the Finance Ministry and the Contractor Services Centre in the Works Ministry for them to be blacklisted.

" The government agencies involved has been asked to step up enforcement to ensure the blacklisted companies are not awarded government contracts," he added. -- Bernama