TI-M: Set up task force on AG report, name firms and directors

PETALING JAYA: Transparency International Malaysia wants a task force to be set up urgently and also names of errant parties mentioned in the 2012 Auditor-General's report to be made public.

Its secretary-general, Dr Loi Kheng Min, said not only should the companies be named, but the names of the directors should be published.

Referring to the RM2.042bil school security bungle by the Education Ministry, Dr Loisaid the issue was "alarming" as children’s lives were put at risk.

He noted that even elderly and frail guards were reported to have been employed to look after the schools.

“Had the money been spent wisely, better security personnel could have been recruited instead,” he added.

Dr Loi said to deal with the issues more effectively, a task force should be formed to investigate and come up with concrete solutions.

“Every year we receive reports but are left unsure if comprehensive action is taken to tackle the problems,” he said.

A taskforce, formed under the A-G and other monitoring groups, could scrutinize the issues raised in the report and propose necessary actions to deal with them, he added.

“The taskforce works in addition to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which has its own role to play,” he said.

On whether the names of security companies involved ought to be published, Dr Loi said the A-G should follow the actions taken by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and Department of Environment which disclosed names of errant parties.

“Every year, Transparency International Japan lists out names of those involved in corruption scandals. It is a reminder to the public and authorities to always be aware and curb corruption,” he added.

However, he said, should the names of errant firms be published, it should also include the names of the directors.

“Sometimes, the guilty are concessions or small ‘2-dollar’ companies. In these cases, shaming might not have the desired effect because the companies will just close down and others will take its place,” he explained.

It is therefore important to shame the directors of the companies. Again, the step is not foolproof because proxies are sometimes used.

"This is why having a taskforce is the best step at this juncture,” said Dr Loi.