The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) must investigate the misuse of public funds highlighted in the Auditor-General’s Report, a Gerakan grassroots leader said today.

Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang said MACC should promptly probe the cases irrespective of whether they occurred at the federal or state levels, in Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat-ruled states.

"This is important if MACC is serious about restoring its credibility," he said in a statement.

To date, Tan said a substantial number of wrongdoings highlighted in the report have not been investigated, nor has anyone been charged.

Consequently, he said the government has failed to recover the 'missing' funds.

macc official launch 240209 abu kassim The Gerakan politician said this should be among the main agenda of MACC deputy chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed when he takes over the reins on Jan 1.

Referring to Abu Kassim's vow to restore the agency's credibility, Tan said the MACC chief designate should comprehend that time was not on his side to implement his plans and measures.

"Of course it is not an easy task to redeem credibility in a short span of time," he said.

He also pointed out that the public would not be forgiving or show leniency in granting anymore time extensions to the MACC.

Corruption and taxes

He said the public now believes that graft is a main cause of wastage in government funds, increasing public expenditure and high deficit budgets.

Thus, he blamed corruption as an indirect cause to the government’s introduction of various taxes such as the five percent real property gains tax (RPGT), RM50 credit card service tax, and the soon to be tabled goods and services tax (GST).

"MACC can reduce Malaysians' cost burden by eradicating corruption. It’s crucial to the country’s socio-economic development and political stability," he said.

Tan suggested that MACC also publish an annual report to disclose the number of cases reported to it and the types of actions taken on them, including probe results into the auditor’s report.

He said MACC was duty bound to explain publicly the reasons behind its failure or reluctance to take action on certain cases.

Probes will not be affected

In a related development, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said the early retirement of MACC chief Ahmad Said Hamdan will not affect the status of ongoing investigations.

Nazri said investigations carried out by MACC would go on without any hitch because his successor Abu Kassim had been handling numerous cases before.

"No cases will be affected since Abu Kassim has been handling numerous investigation papers," he told reporters.

Nazri said Ahmad Said had met him two months ago to inform him of his intention to shorten his service contract and allow Abu Kassim to take over.

"Ahmad Said's contract expires on May 25, 2010 but he had suggested that it would be better for his successor to take over at the beginning of the year instead of in May because it will be mid-year by then," said the minister.