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Friday, 27 November 2009

Up to 60% funds diverted; MACC plans seminar

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has reportedly detected government projects in Sarawak where up to 60 per cent of the funding was diverted.

“Based on the investigations the Sarawak MACC carried out on specific and real cases (projects), only about 40 per cent of the allocations were spent while the remaining 60 per cent is ‘bocor’ (leaked out),” MACC deputy chief commissioner (prevention) Zakaria Jaffar was quoted as saying.

These projects included roads, low-cost houses and mosques.

According to the Borneo Post:

Zakaria pointed out that while some projects were poorly completed, there were others that never took-off although payment was made.

“When we talk about development projects in the state, there are many cases of fake claims, whether it involves the officers or the contractors,” Zakaria pointed out.

He also told reporters that there were instances whereby contractors got allocations from members of parliament (MPs) and assemblymen for the same projects.

He explained that a project might cost about RM15,000, but the contractor would bid for that amount from both the MP and the assemblyman, thus the contractor would earn 100 per cent profit.

And the MPs and assembly members didn’t know about this?

So how is the MACC going to eliminate this?

He said the MACC from next year would conduct a seminar for contractors and also MPs and assemblymen.

He suggested that the Sarawak MACC hold such seminars with the state elected representatives, both MPs and assemblymen next year, on allocation for development projects.

Compare this with the MACC’s action in Selangor.

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