KUANTAN: Newly-appointed Pahang Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency's (MACC) director Datuk Alias Salim is all set to get down to business by giving serious attention to environmental related matters.
Alias pledged his commitment to tackle corruption especially on issues related to the environment namely logging and mining in the state.
He said besides the two sectors, the other area will be the local government authorities which were supposedly responsible in the issuance of licences and permits for businesses.
"MACC will pay extra attention to these (local government and environment) issues as they are related to the well-being of the people and public services generally.
"I hope non-governmental organisations, government and federal agencies and the state government will also cooperate with MACC in our efforts to tackle corruption.
"Information and complaints on other matters including enforcement agencies, smuggling activities and the private sector will be given equal focus as MACC aims to be more stricter and transparent," he told reporters at the State MACC headquarters here yesterday.
Earlier, MACC investigation director Datuk Simi Abdul Ghani witnessed the handing over of duties between outgoing Pahang MACC director Datuk Tan Kang Sai and Alias.
Alias, who previously served as the Immigration Department's Integrity Department director in Putrajaya, said the level of awareness and participation of companies, enforcement agencies and civil servants in Pahang in signing the Corruption-Free Pledge (IBR) has been encouraging.
He said among those who have come forward to sign IBR includes the state executive council members, state football team, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Road Transport Department and Rompin Hospital.
"Several agencies and many more are coming forward to provide their full commitment in their war against corruption and MACC has been also going down to the ground to meet the people and provide their a better understanding on our role as an anti-corruption enforcement agency," he said.
Tan, who served in Pahang since December last year, has been appointed as the Health Ministry's Integrity Department director.