MACC probing more than 100 companies involved in RM194 million embezzlement
Ahmad Khusairi
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said the agency has arrested 133 individuals who are company owners and directors of cooperation related to ministries and agencies in a special operation throughout 2022.
"Until today, 34 individuals have been charged in court for the offence of submitting false claims," he said in a statement on Thursday.
Ahmad Khusairi said, among others, the money embezzled was allocated to resolve unemployment issues and help businesses affected by challenging economic times.
He said the integrity value has faded among companies that have been entrusted with the responsibility of helping the government channel funding to those who are in need of it.
He added these groups involved had openly taken advantage of the funds provided to them by submitting false claims for their own gain.
"This is a form of leakage that the government needs to fix. An attractive policy is pointless when the implementation fails.
"There are too many shortcomings, which created opportunities for the embezzlement," he said.
He said among the shortcomings identified were weaknesses in reviewing the authenticity of information submitted by individuals, companies, or organisation which resulted in overlapping claims from several companies owned by one individual.
"Furthermore, there is no clear mechanism for monitoring the programmes or activities carried out to make sure they were executed correctly.
"The ministry only depended on the reports of the programmes submitted by the applicant.
"Apart from that, there are no clear rules and laws to take action against applicants, such as blacklisting, civil suits, or reclaiming unspent funds," he explained.
The agencies that received funds from the government need to be constantly monitored and evaluated not solely on key performance indicators (KPI) based on quantity but also on the impact of the program, Ahmad Khusairi added.
He added that MACC will focus on the issue of leakages and misappropriation of funds related to government aid, including in the human resources, welfare, automotive, education, and higher education, animal breeding, agriculture, and plantation sectors.
