Sabah MACC Recommends Governance Improvements For Fishermen’s Associations

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Sabah has tabled seven improvement recommendations related to the management of personal advances involving general managers of Area Fishermen’s Associations (PNK), aimed at ensuring accountability through the implementation of good governance principles.

Sabah MACC director Datuk Mohd Fuad Bee Basrah said the recommendations relate to issues involving programmes and activities of the Area Fishermen’s Associations overseen by the Sabah branch of the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM).

“Among the recommendations is the establishment of a dedicated bank account for the receipt and use of personal advances under the designation of the general manager’s post,” he said in a statement here today.

He said another recommendation is the formulation of clear guidelines on personal advances provided to PNK general managers by LKIM, as well as the requirement for general managers to submit actual expenditure reports together with supporting receipts within seven days after the completion of a programme.

Mohd Fuad said other proposed measures include monitoring and reviewing the use of personal advances by general managers for every PNK programme implemented.

He said Sabah MACC also proposed amendments to Registrar’s Circular No. 1 of 2017 – Clause 3.1 to clarify that a ‘personal advance’ refers to the withdrawal of funds in the form of cheques issued in the name of the PNK general manager, to be cashed solely for specific expenses related to contract projects awarded by LKIM or other parties.

“The circular should also clearly state that personal advances must not be deposited into the personal bank accounts of general managers,” he said.

Mohd Fuad said the recommendations were made following preliminary investigations by Sabah MACC into cases where personal advance funds for PNK programmes or activities were deposited into the personal accounts of general managers.

He added that the weaknesses identified could create opportunities for abuse of power and misappropriation if left unaddressed.

-- BERNAMA