Consider unconventional approaches to reduce leakage, urges social activist

KUALA LUMPUR: A whistleblower incentive programme and the use of advanced data analytics are among efforts that should be considered to reduce instances of malfeasance by officials in ministries, departments, agencies and government-linked companies, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

The Malaysian Integrity Institute member said that as traditional checks and balances have failed to produce the desired results, such innovative solutions should be considered.

“The whistleblower incentive program, combined with financial incentives to report misconduct, could encourage insiders to report wrongdoing.

“We could also implement advanced data analytics tools to detect patterns of fraudulent activity early. By leveraging predictive modeling, agencies can proactively identify and address potential problems before they escalate,” he said in a statement Monday (July 8).

Lee also called on the government to implement a policy requiring regular rotation of leadership positions within government agencies.

“This could help prevent the development of entrenched power structures that could contribute to wrongdoing.

“An independent oversight commission composed of experts from various fields could also be formed to oversee government operations and provide recommendations for improvement,” he lamented.

Such unconventional approaches, combined with traditional measures such as stricter enforcement mechanisms, rewards and sanctions, and enhanced ethics and governance training, could help break the cycle of malfeasance and foster a culture of accountability within government institutions, he said.

Rather than relying on an annual report from the auditor general, Lee said a biannual or even quarterly report would be able to ensure prompt corrective action.

“Year after year, the Auditor General highlights cases of malfeasance by officials in ministries, departments, agencies and government-related companies, but no action appears to be taken to prevent such incidents.

“This results in huge losses for taxpayers’ money,” he said.

In the latest report, the auditor general made 64 recommendations for implementation by the offending parties, but it remains to be seen how many of them will be implemented, Lee said.

“Has an audit been carried out of all the recommendations from previous years, to determine how many of them have been implemented?

“Are the annual losses due to poor governance, poor planning, negligence, oversight, corruption or incompetence?” he asked.

In monetary terms, the accumulated deficits amount to billions of ringgit, he said.

“With just RM1 billion, the government could have built 10,000 low-cost housing units for the B40 group or provided better facilities at our hospitals to improve the quality of life of the people.

“It is high time to fill all the gaps and inject a sense of responsibility into those who are tasked with serving the people,” he added.