KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz has called for an end to the "foxes guarding the chicken coops" in light of the leakages and mismanagement highlighted in the Auditor General's (AG) Report.
The former International Trade and Industry Minister said the abuses revealed in the AG Report are proof that the culture of integrity is being seriously eroded in Malaysia.
"The latest audit report has unearthed such diversions from good governance involving billions of ringgits, and it is all public funds. Such leakages, diversions, and pilferings must be seriously tackled.
"There are those among whom we entrust with looking after key areas of national interests who have betrayed that trust.
"They have been found to be negligent, remiss, incompetent, and downright corrupt, with blatant abuses of authority.
"We have to put a stop to having foxes guarding the chicken coops, and to ingrain within the broader education structures the culture of integrity, which is seriously being eroded," she said in a statement published by FMT.
Rafidah, in the statement, called for a review of existing procedures, procurement practices as well as points of authority and processes involved in decision making.
Rafidah, who is known as the Iron Lady for her no-nonsense approach during her time in the government, also proposed for a stop to the setting up of new boards as well as agencies that cater to numerous subsectors and activities.
"The agencies and people identified in the audit report should be investigated," she said.