KUALA LUMPUR: The Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption today has agreed on several recommendations to improve governance and integrity, as well as to combat graft, in the country.
The Prime Minister's Office in a statement today said seven papers had been discussed during the meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin via video conference.
Among the decisions reached during the meeting include agreeing for a discussion between the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the Chief Secretary to the Government, and the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) to enable the use of reports from the MACC and the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) at disciplinary proceedings to enhance the disciplinary process in public service.
"This includes making the MACC Report Feedback Status Monitoring and the EAIC report as a permanent agenda in national, state or department-level Anti-Corruption Committee meetings."
To enhance the integrity and governance, the committee has agreed in principle for the National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC) together with senior ministers, the Chief Secretary to the Government, AGC and MACC to refine the guidelines of issuing support letters to administrative members.
The meeting also agreed to two recommendations from the Works Department to improve tender evaluation methods by improving the integrity of information.
"This is made through collaboration between the Works Department and Companies Commission of Malaysia to use available information in agency databases for evaluation purposes, and enforce tender bond conditions for certain government tenders."
It also agreed in principle for a comprehensive study on the creation of new legal provisions on Deferred Prosecution Agreement by the AGC and MACC, related to Corporate Liability provisions.
The study, it added, was to determine the mechanisms and benchmarks of a commercial organisation that have been charged under Section 17A (4) of the MACC Act.
To improve the integrity of political secretaries, JKKMAR in principle has agreed to GIACC's recommendation to establish a Political Secretary Code of Duties and Functions, in line with the objectives of their appointment to only manage matters related to political affairs.
"Therefore to increase integrity in the support process, the Prime Minister's instructions related to the Code of Duties and Functions can complete previous instructions that have been issued specifically for government officials."
The JKKMAR also agreed in principle to implement the national-level Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and to improve industry compliance, safety and trade facilities involved in import and export activities at borders.
"During the tabling of the 2021 Budget, the government has proposed for the implementation of the AEO programme by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department involving departments, regulatory and enforcement agencies to provide low-risk cargo relief facilities.
"At the same time, all related agencies can increase work productivity by focusing on inspection of high-risk cargo.
"This also reduces issues of corruption and leakage of government revenue," the statement said, adding the Finance Ministry has agreed with the allocation of RM3.3 million a year to realise the programme.