AG report: 14 committees set up to probe 60 punitive reprimands involving 11 ministries

The government has set up 14 investigation committees to probe 60 cases of punitive reprimand for misconduct or negligence involving 11 ministries following the release of the Auditor-General's Report 2016 Series 1.

Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Ali Hamsa said the investigations were aimed at gathering evidence from witnesses and to look at the involvement of officers in the cases reported.

The 11 ministries are Agriculture and Agro-based Industry; Defence; Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism; Higher Education; Works; Health; Rural and Regional Development; Human Resources; Home; Education, as well as the Public-Private Sector Partnership under the Prime Minister's Department.

He said based on the investigations until Aug 2, 31 punitive reprimands or 52 per cent of the 60 had grounds for disciplinary proceedings to begin against 119 officers, while nine auditing outcomes were being studied by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Ali said at a session with the media on the AG's Report 2016 Series 1, here, today. The report was tabled in Parliament on Monday.

He said 24 reprimands (40 per cent) were found to have no elements of misappropriation, power abuse, misconduct or negligence in carrying out tasks, but required improvements to the current systems, procedures and rules. This, he added, was validated in the follow-up scrutiny together with the National Audit Department, Finance Ministry and MACC.

He said five more reprimands were being investigated further to identify the officers responsible.

At the state government level, he said, 12 investigation committees were set up to probe into 43 punitive reprimands involving 12 state governments, namely Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Perak, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Sabah.

"The investigations into five of the reprimands have been completed and there are grounds to commence disciplinary proceedings against 17 officers, eight reprimands found to have no elements of misappropriation, abuse of power, misconduct or negligence but requiring improvements, while another 30 are still under investigation."

Ali said in total, there were 895 audit reprimands including 748 corrective and 103 punitive reprimands in the AG's Report 2016 Series 1.

On action taken against officers in cases raised in the AG's Report 2012 until 2015, he said the cases involving 528 officers were resolved, with 167 of the officers penalised through dismissal, demotion, salary deduction, deferment of salary movement, a fine or surcharge, and warnings.

"I wish to stress that the government views seriously the reprimands made by the Auditor-General in creating a public service sector of high prestige and integrity," Ali said.

He said the government had also carried out various efforts to enhance competency and integrity such as by holding the Auditor-General's Report resolutions lab and seminars on current issues with regard to government financial management, and monitoring of development projects.

Meanwhile, Ali said 449 organisations had signed the Corruption-Free Pledge, an initiative by the MACC since January to ensure that leaders and members of organisations voluntarily do honest work and avoid from getting involved in any corrupt practice.

-- BERNAMA