A number of headmasters and principals in Sabah are suspected to be involved in graft and are being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

State Education Department director Datuk Hajah Maimunah Suhaibul said these school heads had been monitored by the graft busters for the past two years.

“Yesterday, I received a courtesy call from state MACC director, Datuk Shaharom Nizam Abdul Manap and among the issues raised was giving of supply tenders to the family members of school heads or principals.

“We were not given specific data, but it is clear the department must take appropriate steps to protect the integrity of the teaching staff and all department personnel, with the issues raised,” she said after delivering a new year message to teachers in Sabah here yesterday.

“We also talked about suspected involvement of our headmasters and principals on graft-related cases but no numbers were mentioned in the meeting,” she said.

Maimunah added her department would begin investigating the incomes and financial backgrounds of staff who appeared to be living beyond their means.

She said staff who lived luxury lifestyles and frequently travelled overseas for vacations should be investigated.

“The department urges the MACC to conduct probes against them,” she said.

She also said that the State Education Department would focus on efforts to safeguard the integrity of its personnel in boosting the delivery system at all schools in Sabah.

Among the measures taken was by inviting a representative of the MACC to give a briefing at meetings at the department and District Education Offices.

“Our department is urging MACC officials to brief district education officers to ensure that they are on the right track,” she said.

Maimunah urged teachers and staff in the education service to declare their assets, cut down on overseas vacations and refrain from giving projects or tenders to family members.

She said that by declaring assets which may have been handed down through the generations, individuals will not be suspected of dubious activities that may have earned them extraordinary wealth.

“We want our staff and officials to have integrity, not abuse their powers and uphold the dignity of the department,” she added.

“I am entrusted by the government to uphold the integrity of the service, thus, the commission should not hesitate to investigate those in the education workforce,” she said.

Maimunah added that she was shocked to receive many complaints over staff at the department, including at schools.

“It is very important for us to improve financial management and follow the standard operating procedures. “Headmasters and principals, despite having the authority to appoint suppliers, should avoid from involving their close family members to provide services,” she added.

Maimunah also disclosed that a retired principal has been charged with graft and told to refund RM46,000 to the department; while a married couple, both headmasters, are still being investigated.

Recently, the MACC also detained two policemen from Sandakan for allegedly committing graft amounting to RM5,000.

Shahrom said the sub-inspector and sergeant, both in their 50s and attached to the Sandakan police, were apprehended by MACC officers during an operation at Kampung Bahagia Batu Sapi around 5.30pm on Tuesday.

“The arrests were made following a complaint by a 34-year-old labourer who claimed that both suspects demanded RM5,000 to solve the complainant’s police case,” he said.

According to Shahrom, investigation revealed that both suspects met with the complainant in Sandakan town around 11am on Jan 9.

“The suspects asked for RM5,000 to solve the complainant’s case that happened on Dec 8 last year,” he said, adding that the case was investigated under Section 17 (a) of the MACC Act 2009.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Borneo Post

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]