Najib disappointed RM100mil embezzlement case went unnoticed

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (pic) has viewed with the utmost concern the embezzlement case involving a senior government official in the Youth and Sports Ministry.  

He said the government will never compromise in any embezzlement of government funds and stern action will be taken against those involved.  

"A full investigation has to be done immediately and the case will be entrusted to the Attorney-General's Chambers for advice to follow the legal process," he said in a statement on Tuesday. 

“This is because we have already taken steps to ensure embezzlement and waste in the government's financial and administrative affairs does not happen,” he said. 

He was disappointed as the embezzlement went unnoticed as it took place a few years ago.

He urged the National Audit Department to probe this case and tighten procedures relating to the government's financial management procedures. 

I want this case to appear on the Auditor General's dashboard at https://agdashboard.audit.gov.my for public viewing," he said. 

The online dashboard, which was introduced in 2013, would list and colour-code every spending-related issue in all ministries and agencies.

In view of this incident, he urged all Ministries and government agencies to constantly monitor each allocated budgeted expenditure on the highest level of transparency and accountability. 

Last Friday, the MACC arrested a 56-year-old division secretary of the ministry on the suspicion of embezzling some RM100mil since 2010.

Eight others who were contractors from 14 companies were arrested on the same day. All have been remanded for a week.

The commission seized several properties including houses, 12 luxury cars, watches, jewellery and branded handbags, and froze 69 bank accounts with total deposits of RM8.33mil.

The suspect, who became division secretary eight years ago, was believed to have received some RM20mil in kickbacks.