The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has started probing into cases of mismanagement as highlighted by the Auditor-General's Report 2008.

Its director Latifah Md Yatim said the MACC began its investigations soon after it finished studying the report.

"We received full cooperation from those involved in the investigations," she told reporters after attending an anti-corruption enforcement seminar.

She said investigations could take up to eight months.

RM42k notebook

Among the weaknesses in Penang as pointed out by the report were the purchase of a notebook computer at RM42,320 by a skills institute and the cost of car maintenance belonging to the state government, which the report said was unreasonably high.

Penang financial officer Datuk Farizan Darus has denied any wrongdoing in the maintenance of government cars.

Meanwhile, the MACC will produce more television drama series with anti-corruption messages to promote integrity among the society and highlight the negative effects of corruption.

MACC's community education division director Mohd Yusoff Akope said the series was among strategies taken by the commission to educate the people and enhance the commission's image.