Good report: Dr Ali (second from right) with (from left) secretary-general of Treasury Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah,Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Mohamad Zabidi Zainal and Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang at the 2015 Auditor-General Report session with media in Putrajaya.

PUTRAJAYA: Periodic transfers of civil servants in sensitive posts have been effective in curbing corruption and abuses of power, says Chief Secretary to the Government.

Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa said based on figures from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the number of cases investigated involving public officers dropped from 195 in 2013 to 125 last year.

“This shows a significant im­­prove­­­­­­­ment and we aim to see the number going lower,” he said during a townhall session on the 2015 Auditor-General’s Report (Series 2) yesterday.

The rotation of officers holding sensitive posts is in accordance with an existing government circular.

It came about after the Youth and Sports Ministry fund embezzlement case in March, where a finance division officer allegedly pilfered some RM100mil over a period of six years.

Under the policy, those holding sensitive posts, including in procurement, finance and awarding of contracts, could only stay for a maximum of five years.

Dr Ali said the rotation policy mostly involved mid-level management and officers, as it was not easy to implement this on top management, such as secretaries-general, as they do not hold the post long.

He said the Government would continue to put in place systems and policies to encourage transparency and effectiveness and would ensure those who abuse their position were severely dealt with.

Among corruption cases involving civil servants this year was the seizure of RM114mil in cash and assets from two top officials of the Sabah Water Department last month.

To demonstrate the Government’s seriousness in dealing with irresponsible civil servants, two officers were given the axe over the past four years following findings in the Auditor-General’s Report.

Resource : The Star Online