PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry will give its full cooperation into investigations of possible misconduct by any of its personnel by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister's declaration came after MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki reportedly said that over 500 reports of alleged misconduct by government personnel had been ignored by their respective department heads.
According to the report carried by an online news portal, the police made up the bulk of the 553 unaddressed cases, followed by officers from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) with some dating back as far as 12 years ago.
Loke said that he would take immediate pre-emptive measures to assist in the investigations and that full cooperation would be given towards any follow-up investigations into the reports.
"I currently lack any concrete facts on the issue as I only learned of it through media reports this morning.
"I am now arranging for a meeting as soon as possible with Azam for the details and number of officers under my ministry that may be involved.
"I have also instructed all levels of my ministry from the Secretary-General to the head of every department to give their full cooperation in any investigations by MACC.
"Those found guilty with sufficient credible evidence of misconduct will have immediate action taken against them," he told reporters after the Transport Ministry's monthly meeting and special Hari Raya open house here Tuesday (May 9).
He noted that the reports of misconduct were also likely not criminal-related activities as MACC would not have to wait for a response from the ministries otherwise.
"The cases of misconduct are likely officers who showed a lack of due diligence whether it was failing or refusing to perform their duties in a proper or timely manner.
"Otherwise, MACC would have the direct authority to take immediate action on suspected criminal offenders without needing to wait for our response," he said.
