MACC reveals corrupt practices in medical procurement during pandemic

 

Some purchases of medical equipment and medicine during the Covid-19 pandemic have involved elements of corruption, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki revealed today.

Azam (above) said the anti-graft body has opened investigations into bribery in the procurement of medical services, abuse of power in diverting relief aid and stimulus packages, fraud related to medical protective equipment in terms of its quantity and quality, and bribery of enforcement officers during the previous movement control orders.

“In the last two years, many nations around the world were struggling to contain Covid-19, which is mostly led by our heroes in the healthcare sector.

“Many nations (have been) dishing out economic assistance and making purchases of medical equipment and medicine through emergency funds.

“It is sad, even in this pandemic and state of emergency, some of these purchases are mired with corruption.

“This shows that there are some unscrupulous people who are still taking the opportunity to make illegal monies from people’s pain and misfortunes,” he said during his keynote address at the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Forum 2022.

Azam added that the MACC had opened a total of 829 investigation papers in 2021, which led to 851 arrests, involving all types of corruption, money laundering and Penal Code offences.

In the first quarter of 2022, 376 investigation papers had been opened which resulted in 415 arrests, he said.

Income tax relief

During his speech, Azam announced a government initiative, under the purview of the Finance Ministry, to allow income tax deductions for private corporations conducting corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes related to corruption prevention and education.

These programmes must be done in collaboration with the MACC, and be non-profit oriented and not politically motivated.

“The tax relief incentive is to encourage more private companies to collaborate with MACC to conduct anti-corruption programmes which will benefit the public, including schools and higher learning institutions.

“This avenue provides a synergy among the private sector, MACC and the public to eradicate corruption through awareness.

“Therefore I am taking this opportunity to invite everyone from the private sector to consider this avenue for CSR,” he said. - Mkini