The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission does not have the power to demote, suspend or sack civil servants who contravene procedures, as highlighted by the Auditor General's Report 2012.

“Only the respective government agencies, Public Service Department and Public Service Commission have the power to do so,” MACC director of investigations Mustafar Ali said.

However, he said that the anti-graft body can make recommendations of disciplinary action to be taken on civil servants, according to the public agencies' procedures.

“The MACC hopes that the heads of department and disciplinary committees will take stern punitive action against those found guilty.

“Besides that, we hope preventive action can be taken so that issues raised in the Auditor-General's report do not recur,” he said in a statement late yesterday.

He was responding to a statement by former Transport Ministry secretary general Ramon Navaratnam who called on MACC to demote, suspend or sack civil servants named in the report.

Mustafar added that to date, 15 investigation papers have been opened involving cases raised in the report, and is studying other cases to identify if there is any elements of corruption.

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