Latest news with #Act694
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Counter-setting: Penang Immigration officers detained, MACC identifying 'high-level' links
GEORGE TOWN: Two Immigration officers stationed at the Penang International Airport have been arrested in a special operation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Penang, as part of an ongoing investigation into a corruption scheme known as 'counter-setting'. The officers allegedly abused their positions by allowing foreign nationals to bypass official Immigration screening and enter the country without proper clearance. According to sources familiar with the investigation, the two officers were detained after MACC received intelligence indicating their direct involvement in facilitating unauthorised entry. "The arrests were made under the MACC Act 2009 [Act 694]. "The detention is part of a broader effort to uncover the network and understand the full modus operandi behind this illegal practice," said a source, who confirmed the operation is ongoing. 'Counter-setting' is believed to involve a wider ring of personnel acting in collusion, potentially exposing systemic weaknesses at Malaysia's entry points. The source added that the two arrested officers are assisting MACC in tracing higher-level links and identifying other individuals who may be involved. MACC reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on corruption, particularly within enforcement sectors critical to national security. "Stern action will be taken against any individuals or parties found to have abused their power or engaged in corrupt practices," the source said. The public has been urged to report any information related to corruption in both the public and private sectors, as MACC continues its mission to uphold the integrity of public service. It was reported last week that an enforcement officer was arrested at Terminal 1 of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on suspicion of involvement in misconduct related to 'counter-setting'. The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) said the arrest was made after its Monitoring and Integrity Units detected the officer's suspicious behaviour via closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage at the Immigration checkpoint.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
MACC to review A-G report for misconduct
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will conduct a thorough review of the Auditor-General's Report Series 2/2025 to identify governance weaknesses and potential misconduct involving government agencies and government-linked companies (GLCs). In a statement, MACC said the review would include follow-up action on any issues suspected of involving criminal offences under the MACC Act 2009 (Act 694), and would not be limited to governance lapses alone. 'The MACC takes note of the report recently tabled in Parliament, particularly issues involving governance weaknesses and potential misconduct in agencies and GLCs. The MACC fully supports the Auditor-General's disclosures,' the statement read, Bernama reported yesterday. It will work closely with the National Audit Department to obtain relevant information and supporting documents to facilitate swift investigations and follow-up action.
Barnama
6 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
MACC To Review LKAN 2/2025 To Identify Governance Weaknesses And Potential Misconduct
PUTRAJAYA, July 24 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will conduct a thorough review of the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) Series 2/2025 to identify governance weaknesses and potential misconduct involving government agencies and government-linked companies (GLCs). In a statement today, the MACC said the review would include follow-up action on any issues suspected of involving criminal offences under the MACC Act 2009 (Act 694), and would not be limited to governance lapses alone. 'The MACC takes note of the LKAN recently tabled in Parliament, particularly issues involving governance weaknesses and potential misconduct in agencies and GLCs. The MACC fully supports the Auditor-General's disclosures,' the statement read. The commission will work closely with the National Audit Department to obtain relevant information and supporting documents to facilitate swift investigations and follow-up action. The MACC reaffirmed its commitment to tackling abuse of power, misappropriation, and corruption firmly and transparently, to uphold the highest standards of governance and restore public confidence in the integrity of public institutions. The LKAN 2/2025, tabled in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, revealed serious irregularities identified in three audits, involving over RM460 million. Auditor-General Datuk Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi listed one of them as involving FELCRA Bhd, showing governance weaknesses in the lease procurement of four oil palm estates worth RM241.76 million between 2022 and 2024. She added that Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia was found to have serious procurement irregularities involving three tenders worth RM58.45 million. The other irregularities involved uncollected late penalty charges amounting to RM162.75 million and yet to be imposed late penalty charges amounting to RM1.42 million for the GEMPITA supply contract.
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Authorities cannot threaten whistleblowers, Albert Tei urged to report
KUALA LUMPUR: Any individual who comes forward to provide information on any improper conduct cannot be blocked or threatened by any party, including the authorities. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran said this was because the authorities should protect whistleblowers under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Act 711). 'I have taken note of Albert Tei's lawyer today, regarding the allegation that Albert Tei had contacted the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) regarding a corruption scandal but was warned by MACC officers not to appear in public or he would face problems. 'This is a very serious allegation and is completely unacceptable... I would like to advise the individual named Albert Tei to immediately file a report regarding this issue with the Royal Malaysian Police and the MACC Complaints Committee under Section 15 of the MACC Act 2009 (Act 694) by naming the MACC officers involved in the allegation. 'I give full assurance that the MADANI Government will not compromise on issues of threats like these, and that stern action will be taken if the allegation is found to be true,' he said when winding up the debate on the Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Parliament on Tuesday (July 22). The bill was later passed with a majority of votes in agreement after being debated by 24 Members of Parliament (MPs). During the debate on the bill, several MPs raised the issue of a media report today regarding a statement by Albert Tei's lawyer, Mahajoth Singh, who claimed that his client was warned by the MACC not to come forward before he exposed the mining scandal in Sabah. Regarding the Whistleblower Protection Committee in the amendment to the bill, Kulasegaran said the government would ensure that the committee's membership was free from conflicts of interest and of a high calibre. He said that among the proposed members would be parties with knowledge and expertise in the aspect of whistleblower protection, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or civil society organisations (CSOs), as well as academic experts. 'This will ensure independence, transparency, no conflict of interest, and checks and balances in the implementation of the committee. 'This Whistleblower Protection Committee is a stop-gap measure only, temporarily until a central agency is established, namely the Ombudsman Malaysia, which will take over the functions and duties of this committee with additional powers, including receiving complaints from whistleblowers covering improper and harmful conduct. 'The Ombudsman Malaysia will also monitor the results of investigations carried out by this enforcement agency, and any reporting to Parliament is very welcome for transparency purposes and will be implemented when the central agency is established,' he said, adding that standard operating procedures, including timelines will be detailed and set during the establishment of the Ombudsman Malaysia. Earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said when tabling the bill for the second reading said that the Whistleblower Protection Committee is responsible for obtaining and coordinating statistics and data related to disclosures and complaints received by enforcement agencies. She said, however, that all statistics, data or information submitted to the committee cannot include any confidential information protected under Section 8, to ensure that there is no information leakage issue. 'This directly guarantees that the identity of the whistleblower remains protected as provided for in Section 6 of this act, thus ensuring that public confidence in the whistleblower protection system continues to be maintained,' she said. She added that statistics showed that from 2011 to 2023, a total of 74,614 complaints related to improper conduct were received and investigated, while 1,139 people were recognised as whistleblowers and given protection. The session continues today. - Bernama
Barnama
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Authorities Cannot Threaten Whistleblowers, Albert Tei Asked To Make Report
KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- Any individual who comes forward to provide information on any improper conduct cannot be blocked or threatened by any party, including the authorities. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran said this was because the authorities should protect whistleblowers under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Act 711). 'I have taken note of Albert Tei's lawyer today, regarding the allegation that Albert Tei had contacted the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) regarding a corruption scandal but was warned by MACC officers not to appear in public or he would face problems. 'This is a very serious allegation and is completely unacceptable… I would like to advise the individual named Albert Tei to immediately file a report regarding this issue with the Royal Malaysian Police and the MACC Complaints Committee under Section 15 of the MACC Act 2009 (Act 694) by naming the MACC officers involved in the allegation. 'I give full assurance that the MADANI Government will not compromise on issues of threats like these, and that stern action will be taken if the allegation is found to be true,' he said when winding up the debate on the Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Parliament today. The bill was later passed with a majority of votes in agreement after being debated by 24 Members of Parliament (MPs). During the debate on the bill, several MPs raised the issue of a media report today regarding a statement by Albert Tei's lawyer, Mahajoth Singh, who claimed that his client was warned by the MACC not to come forward before he exposed the mining scandal in Sabah. Regarding the Whistleblower Protection Committee in the amendment to the bill, Kulasegaran said the government would ensure that the committee's membership was free from conflicts of interest and of a high calibre. He said that among the proposed members would be parties with knowledge and expertise in the aspect of whistleblower protection, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or civil society organisations (CSOs), as well as academic experts.
