PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) has always invited the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and other relevant government agencies such as the Integrity Department to attend its meetings for good governance, says its chairman Datuk R. Ramanan.
Mitra, he said, remained committed and focused on its work to improve the welfare of the Indian community.
“We have never said that the MACC has seconded its officer to our meetings,” he said, adding that a check of all previous media reports would show that it had consistently used the word “invited” and not “seconded”.
Expressing regret over a story on a news portal, the PKR’s Sungai Buloh MP said Mitra was committed to transparency and good governance.
He said moving forward to 2024, Mitra needed the support of the Prime Minister and the community to perform better.
Earlier, Bernama reported the MACC as saying that it currently had no officers stationed at Mitra, adding that they were prohibited from participating in any board, committee or secretariat meetings relating to the procurement of external agencies.
“This is in line with the Treasury Circular 1 (1PP),” said the MACC in a statement.
The MACC said it had also completed its investigation of misappropriation of Mitra funds from 2019 until 2021, resulting in the successful prosecution of 12 cases, with 10 cases being tried in court and two accused pleading guilty.
The MACC said it had also reviewed the management of Mitra funds to enhance its procedures and transparency in the distribution of funds to the Indian community.
“In addition, Mitra has submitted the report on Advisory Practice, Systems and Fund Management Procedures to the National Unity Ministry on Feb 22, 2022. The report serves as a measure and tools to prevent corruption, abuse of power and misappropriation of government funds,” it said.
