‘Dishonest’ civil servants responsible for discrepancies such as those highlighted in the auditor-general’s reports should be sacked outright to set an example, said former finance minister Daim Zainuddin.

He said it would not suffice to merely give stern warnings, or other lesser methods of punishment.

"The audit is done every year, but do they care? Unless you take action against them, sack them… these warnings and warnings won’t do.

"If they err, boot them out - easy. You have to, you must set an example. There must be disciplined, or they don’t care," he said today.

To a question whether he meant stern action needs to be taken, he replied, “Sack them. If people are dishonest, kick them out.”

On another matter, Daim gave the government’s plans to implement the goods and services tax (GST) the thumbs-up, saying that he had wanted to implement it, too, back in 1984 to broaden the government’s revenue base.

“This is a consumption tax, so it is an equitable tax. If you don’t want to pay taxes, then don’t (buy goods). In any case there are many exemptions...

“(Opposition leader) Anwar Ibrahim wanted it, too, but now that he is in the opposition, he doesn’t any more,” he said.

Daim also opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) that the government is negotiating, saying that smaller companies would struggle to keep up with foreign multinational companies if the agreement is signed.

He added that if the agreement is indeed beneficial, there is no need for secrecy and the negotiations should be done in the open so that others can debate about it.

"Even if it is bad and try it, people will find out eventually anyway," he said.

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