ACA investigating three high-ranking govt officers

The Star

By CHRISTINA TAN

SHAH ALAM: Three high-ranking government officers, including a woman, are being investigated by the Selangor Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) for graft.

Outgoing state ACA director Datuk Mohd Jamidan Abdullah said the probe was based on reports lodged last year.

“We have seized three cars worth RM150,000, RM130,000 and RM45,000 from the Grade A officers after conducting the probe,” he told reporters after handing over duties to his successor Ja’afar Mahat at the new state ACA office in Plaza Masalam, Section 9, here Friday.

Mohd Jamidan, who has been appointed federal ACA Intelligence division director, however, refused to identify the officers.

He added that the agency was also investigating an executive of a private company over suspected bribe money in his bank account totalling about RM500,000.

Mohd Jamidan said the agency arrested 71 people for corruption last year including 28 government servants and 43 members of the public and private sector.

“A total of 29 have been charged in court, while disciplinary action was taken against nine others,” he said.

He also said that general public awareness on the need to stop corruption had improved and this was evident from the 859 tip-offs received from the public last year as compared to 687 tip-offs in 2006.

Federal ACA Investigations Division director Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdul said Selangor ACA had opened 112 investigation files last year and investigations into 80% of the cases had been concluded.

“It is a pretty good result and we hope the agency will further enhance its performance. We are targeting 85% (in completed investigations) next year,” he said after witnessing the handing over of duties.

Ja’afar, the former Penang state ACA director, reported to his new office on Wednesday. He takes over the post from Mohd Jamidan, who served in Selangor from Jan 2 to Oct 1 last year.