286 reports on abuse of flood relief funds received - MACC

The Flood Fund Management Integrity Committee received 286 reports since Jan 13, on various wrongdoings and irregularities during flood relief work.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Mustafar Ali said of the total, 39 reports were related to corruption and abuse of funds.

"Investigations were carried out under the MACC Act 2009. No cases were brought to court as no offences were committed. We want to plug weaknesses in the procedures," he told reporters after closing the Flood Fund Management Integrity Committee operation room here Sunday.

Mustafar said among the issues identified were incomplete names, unclear terms for applications and confusion when coordinating donations from non-governmental organisations and the government.

The committee saved about RM50,000 in flood relief funds given by the federal government after 100 applicants cancelled their compassionate aid applications.

This followed the MACC move to attach False Claim Declaration Forms under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009.

"What is important is the increased integrity because after our briefing, some applicants returned the application forms while some returned the money.

"The actual amount of funds saved has yet to be finalised as distribution (of compassionate aid) is still ongoing," said Mustafar.

Some 71,190 of the total 90,000 flood victims in Kelantan have received the compassionate aid.

Mustafar said after four months of operations, the MACC, National Security Council and the National Audit Department decided to close the Flood Fund Management Integrity Committee operations room.

"Nevertheless, we are still receiving information from the public on corrupt elements or abuse in connection with the distribution of flood funds," he added.