By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, Dec 9: Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip today denied any misappropriation of development funds in the state government.
He said with the current monitoring system and enforcement in place, especially by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), it was almost impossible for elected representatives and government officers to indulge in graft.
Even if they were discovered, it only meant the monitoring system and enforcement were effective, he added.
One example is the allocation of Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) funds of RM5 million for each state seat. Talib emphasised that it was the state seats that receive the funds, not the lawmakers.
“And the funds are paid to the Resident Office of the area, where the development projects are being implemented. The projects’ implementations are also being monitored by the Resident Office,” he explained to reporters on the various problematic projects and works involving public funds that were highlighted on social media.
Talib earlier officiated at the state MACC’s International Anti-Corruption Day 2018 at the agency’s headquarters here.
He said corruption-related allegations posted on social media were most of the time baseless.
“We have to trust the work and auditing by the authorities and MACC,” he added.
Talib, however, assured that all allegations would be investigated thoroughly as long as whistleblowers reported them through the proper channels.
He even provided his mobile phone number to enable anyone with information on corruption and inappropriate activities involving public funds to alert him so that his office and the relevant authorities could act on it.
“If there are any problematic projects, call me at 012 898 3366. We will take appropriate action against any inappropriate activities.
“Let us work together to ensure the implementation of development projects run smoothly,” said Talib. — DayakDaily
