The 1Azam poverty eradication should be probed due to weaknesses in implementation which led to leakages, said the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

The committee wants the Public Services Department (PSD) to probe the matter.

In 2013 the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had opened a probe into the 1Azam programme over allegations that funds had been misappropriated.

Among those questioned was Suhaimi Ibrahim, the former political secretary to former women, family and community development minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

However, there have been no reports of the case going to court.

The PAC probe on 1Azam began after the Audit Department found several weaknesses in the programme.

Among them were that there was no justification given for the appointment of 22 suppliers for equipment amounting to RM8 million.

The audit report also found that a RM1 million chilli farming project involving 100 people did not give any returns.

The Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry explained to the PAC that no dividends were paid for this cluster project due to a drop in chilli prices, and also due to crop failure.

The PAC also noted that there were weaknesses in implementation such as guidelines not being followed for cluster projects.

However despite this, the PAC said programmes such as 1Azam should be continued, albeit with improvements.