Teluk bahang: Leakages and misappropriation in the public sector not only affect the country's financial management, but also erode public trust in government institutions.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki emphasized the importance of managing public funds with full accountability. He warned that misappropriation and weaknesses in internal control systems lead to abuse of power, wastage, and undue burdens on the populace. He highlighted major cases such as Op Water Sabah, involving the embezzlement of a RM3.3 billion water supply project, and a former Youth and Sports Ministry senior officer convicted of 96 charges related to forgery and money laundering.
Azam noted that the MACC has confiscated luxury assets worth over RM3.5 billion and forfeited almost RM28 billion in the last five years, underscoring their commitment to preventing the misuse of public funds. "To those enjoying themselves with corrupt gains, the MACC will take back this money because it is the people's money," he asserted during the closing of the 2025 Public Sector Finance and Auditing Seminar (SKPSA) themed Financial Integrity: Enforcing Compliance and Preventing Misappropriation in the Public Service.
He further elaborated on the proposed tabling of the Government Procurement Bill in Parliament this year, aiming to enhance transparency and law-based governance in the procurement system. Azam also called upon public sector accountants and auditors to report any misappropriation or irregularities without fear, advocating for the protection of whistleblowers through effective implementation of the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010.
Additionally, Azam emphasized the importance of digital transformation in governmental financial and procurement systems, urging the use of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and data analytics to trace suspicious transactions and curb corruption at early stages.
The SKPSA 2025 seminar was organised by Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz School of Accountancy (TISSA) and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), in collaboration with the MACC's Financial Analysis Division. The event was attended by UUM deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Dr Ram Al Jaffri Saad, Penang MACC director Datuk Mohd Fuad Bee Basrah Bee, UUM School of Accounting deputy dean Dr Mohd Hadzrami Harun Rasit, the university's senior officers, and participants nationwide.