Two councillors are said to have ignored acquisition rules in buying cartridges and other goods.
The Sun Daily reported on the Kedah region’s government and its endorsement of disciplinary action against two municipal council officers in the Malaysian state, who are accused of violating regulations for “acquisition through direct purchase”.
Both Sungai Petani Municipal Council (MPSPK) and Kulim Municipal Council (MPKK) have been asked by Malaysia’s Auditor-General to take action against the officers in their councils, with the purchases divided into a number of smaller transactions “to avoid quotation”, which contravenes Malaysian law.
The officers acquired toner cartridges, uniforms and souvenir bags through government acquisition, with cartridges worth RM92,447 ($28,658/€20,767) in one purchase and worth RM133,900 ($41,508/€30,079) in another acquired incorrectly through direct purchase at the MPSPK and MPKK respectively. The purchases should have been made through getting quotations due to being over RM50,000 ($15,499/€11,231) in value, leading to the investigation by the Auditor-General.
Badrol Hisham Hashim, State Local Government, Water Supply, Water and Energy Resources, Housing and Human Development Committee Chairman, stated: “Civil servants should not abuse their powers, they should do everything by the book. I really hope that the image of civil servants will not be tarnished just because some of them decided to go against the rules. I also hope that this incident will not recur.”
The costs are said to be associated with a repair project for Jalan Alor Setar-Kuala Nerang-Durian Burung, a series of road and motorways currently being expanded and repaved.