MACC, police asked to investigate irregularities involving National Council of Professors

KUCHING (July 5): The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) have been asked to investigate financial irregularities involving the National Council of Professors (MPN).

This follows the Auditor-General’s (A-G) Report yesterday revealing nearly RM374,000 MPN funds were misused to benefit two companies in which two trustees have a stake.

Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia Faculty of Syariah and Law associate professor Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow said in the report, which covers a period between 2019 and last year, the Auditor-General found two board of trustees members failed to declare share ownership in two companies in line with the Companies Act.

“MPN funds totalling RM373,516 were misused to fund the operations of the two companies, based on the A-G’s report. It was also discovered that the payment of fixed allowances for the MPN chairman and deputy chairman totalling RM207,000 were not approved by the relevant minister.

“The A-G also flagged an amendment to MPN’s charter in 2019, which led to it deviating from its original purpose and the government losing control over the body,” Muzaffar said in a statement today.

He pointed out there were other issues pertaining to MPN revealed through the Auditor-General’s Report, which require serious attention from the authorities.

Muzaffar noted that while MPN had strongly denied the allegations, a thorough investigation is needed to clear public suspicion, dissatisfaction, and misunderstanding.

He suggested the government could also consider setting up a special committee to further investigate the matter, analyse all the issues raised through the A-G’s Report, and come up with recommendations.

“MPN must clear its name and protect the reputation of all its members. The enforcement authorities and the government cannot allow this issue to pass by without any action taken.

“Financial abuses and mishandling of funds in any form are serious offences. Public trust and confidence towards the government and all the existing agencies in the country must be protected at all times,” he stressed.

Muzaffar added MPN is an organisation established by the government in 2010 to mobilise the expertise of experienced academics to assist the government’s efforts in the national development agenda and contribute to the well-being of the community.