The MACC is conducting an investigation into several questionable financial allocations to the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) for 2017.

This was revealed by Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo, who said the MACC had confirmed this and he had been informed that officers went to the Finas headquarters on June 7.

“I wish to emphasise here that the Communications and Multimedia Ministry will neither tolerate nor compromise in any matter involving elements of corruption, leakage or abuse of power in any agency or department under its jurisdiction.

“Elements of corruption, leakage or abuse of power in our country’s creative industry, if any, can weaken the healthy competition necessary to expand the industry and will cripple the development of the industry as a whole,” he said in a statement today.

Gobind said that if an investigation revealed any of these elements, then strict action must be taken, lawfully or internally, to address the matter immediately.

"Therefore, the MACC should be given ample room in this investigation and the relevant quarters have to extend the necessary cooperation to complete the probe."

Gobind also noted that he hoped that the investigation would also delve into the programmes where Finas allocations were used in the past.

"If there exists any weaknesses or shortcomings, proposals to strengthen these areas can be submitted to the ministry for its consideration,” he said.

- Bernama