An independent body must be set up every year to ensure follow up action on reports released by the Auditor-General's office, suggested a senator in Dewan Negara today.

Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor said the body must study and take action on reports released by the Auditor-General's office which involves mismanagement of funds and corruption and submit the follow up action to Parliament.

"Reports have been released but where is the action? What was the punishment for those who were found to make mismanaged funds, how many have been hauled up for action, who are they, from which government departments, are also politicians involved?

"All the details must be submitted to the Parliament," he said when debating the 10th Malaysia Plan today.

Mohamad Ezam also welcomed the proposal by the Parliament committee for corruption, which proposed that the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) be given the powers to charge offenders.

He added that when the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) was replaced by MACC, its powers were withdrawn, leaving the commission powerless.

Mohamad Ezam said the question of MACC misusing its authority if given the powers to charge, would not arise since five panels would be monitoring the commission's procedures.

He also suggested that the government set up a mechanism which was transparent and independent to identify chief executive officers (CEO) of government-linked companies (GLC), based on merit and integrity.

If a CEO has a bad track record when heading a GLC, appointing him or her to head another GLC would be inviting bigger problems, he said.

- Bernama