KUALA LUMPUR: The Customs Department denies claims made on social media that its director-general allegedly misused government funds for a personal holiday in Bangkok, Thailand, including business-class flights for her family.
The department today said that Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin took two days of leave on Oct 30 and Nov 1, which was approved by the Treasury secretary-general.
"The approval is in accordance with the Human Resources Management Information System guidelines and the Public Officers' Circular No. 3 of 2012."
"The director-general's leave and travel were personal, and the department denies any suggestion that department funds were used.
"No departmental budget was allocated for her flights, accommodation or other expenses related to this trip."
It said all costs were borne by Anis herself.
The department added that while in Bangkok, Anis attended an international boxing championship, where she supported the department's Adli Hafidz, who represented Malaysia, and won his match.
"It is a regular practice for the director-general to offer encouragement and motivate department personnel in their pursuits of excellence."
Yesterday, Edisi Siasat on Telegram claimed that Anis took her family to Bangkok using government funds.
"Do you know that the Customs director-general took her family to Bangkok on a business-class flight with government funds (public money) under the pretext of watching a boxing match featuring a Customs officer?
"The boxing match ended yesterday (Thursday), but Anis is still in Bangkok vacationing with her family."
Meanwhile, the department urged the public to focus on its role in safeguarding the nation's security and economic stability.
"The department calls on everyone to rely on official sources for information and to trust in the integrity and dedication upheld by the director-general."
The department filed a report regarding the accusation.