[UPDATED] PM calls out wastage of public funds by previous govt

PUTRAJAYA – Public officials have to act as a check and balance to combat graft and wastage of public funds, especially when any of the prime minister’s instructions are not in accordance with the law and regulations, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

In his monthly address to the staff of the Prime Minister’s Department, Anwar revealed that meeting minutes from the previous administration, based on files from the Finance Ministry, showed that public funds were being used in excess for development projects.

Expressing his understanding that public officials at the time were following instructions given by the cabinet and even prime minister, Anwar said such practices will not be accepted in his administration.

“Enforcement (of the law) is also very crucial, especially in the Finance Ministry. I have looked through many files and found many excesses.

“I can’t blame public officials as they were carrying out instructions by ministers and even the prime minister.

“But now I have given clear instructions that even if there are instructions from the prime minister that are deemed to violate set rules and regulations, I must at least be informed of the matter.

“This goes even for my officers or officers from the office of the deputy prime minister and other ministers.”

However, Anwar stopped short of naming which administration he was referring to.

Last month, officials from the Finance Ministry confirmed that there were serious breaches of procedure regarding the alleged misappropriation of RM600 billion in government funds under former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The figure was later revised to RM92.5 billion by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission after reviewing the breakdown of economic stimulus package funds. The use of this sum is now being investigated.

Muhyiddin has since said he is ready to be investigated by the proper authorities and vehemently denied that he had allegedly received kickbacks from these funds.

To date, the chief executive officer of a private company has been arrested and is being probed for his role as a middleman. – The Vibes, January 16, 2023