Sabah Fisheries Development Authority told by MACC to improve governance

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has presented seven recommendations to improve the governance of the Sabah Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM).

Sabah MACC director Datuk Mohd Fuad Bee Basrah said among the proposals was the establishment of a special bank account for the use and receipt of personal advance funds, to be opened under the position title “General Manager”.

He said the agency should also introduce clear guidelines on personal advance funds disbursed by LKIM to General Managers at PNKs.

“This includes the submission of an actual expenditure report together with supporting receipts within seven days after the completion of a programme.

“Another recommendation is to conduct monitoring and reviews of the use of personal advance funds by the General Manager for every PNK programme carried out,” he said in a media statement today.

Mohd Fuad added that LKIM should amend Registrar’s Circular No. 1 of 2017 — Clause 3.1 by specifying that ‘personal advance’ refers to the withdrawal of funds in the form of cheques issued in the name of the General Manager of the Fishermen’s Association and subsequently cashed.

“This is for use as specific expenditure in managing contract projects awarded by LKIM or other parties, and personal advance funds must not be deposited into the General Manager’s personal bank account.

“These recommendations were made following the findings of a preliminary investigation conducted by Sabah MACC into issues involving personal advance funds for programmes or activities carried out by PNKs being deposited into the personal accounts of PNK General Managers,” he said.

Mohd Fuad, who presented the recommendations, said the initiative was aimed at enhancing accountability through the implementation of good governance principles in line with current and future needs and environmental challenges.

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

Meanwhile, LKIM director-general Hamdan Mamat, who welcomed the proposed improvements, said the authority agreed to take action to address the weaknesses identified.

Earlier at the event, a signing ceremony for the Governance Improvement Report was held between the Sabah MACC director and the LKIM director-general.