KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the auditor general to act more firmly by thoroughly investigating all agencies, ministries and statutory bodies for governance violations.
He said governance violations persisted and involved not only political appointees, but professionals and civil servants as well.
"Based on the reports I have read, (these violations) are not related to whether the person was politically appointed. We appoint individuals, whether they are politicians, professionals, or civil servants, as long as they follow the rules and are closely monitored by the Finance Ministry, the auditor general and MACC.
"I urge everyone to reassess their roles and ensure that the concept of Madani is truly understood and implemented. Otherwise, it will remain just another slogan," Anwar said at the launch of the Guidelines on the Management and Governance of Federal Statutory Bodies here.
Present were Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
Anwar also reminded statutory bodies to adhere to their founding objectives of serving the people.
He said according to an economist's estimation, some bodies spend almost 50 per cent of their allocations on operating expenses, and only 20 per cent on their intended purposes.
"A statutory body formed to help the poor and fishermen, but has excessively high management costs, is certainly unfair because it was established to help the people."