Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Sabah has proposed eight governance improvements involving the functions and jurisdiction of the Sabah Public Works Department (JKR), Sabah State Treasury Department and Sabah Finance Ministry.
The recommendations followed a governance investigation into the management of the Libaran Interchange Dual-Carriageway Road Construction and Gum-Gum Kecil Road Upgrading projects in Sandakan, which were implemented under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).
Among the recommendations are establishing comprehensive and detailed guidelines for contract work and supply payment processes, upgrading and integrating the existing claims management system, introducing a specific payment code for the Sabah JKR Trust Account and establishing a Trust Account under Sabah JKR.
MACC Sabah also recommended improving existing guidelines by introducing a Contract Administration Circular, strengthening the use of Sabah JKR standard forms, establishing specific guidelines for Trust Account management, and issuing a circular on the establishment and responsibilities of the Contract Coordinator Panel (CCP).
The recommendations also include establishing procedures for managing troubled projects and appointing completion contractors for such projects.
The recommendations were presented by MACC Sabah director Datuk Mohd Fuad Bee Basrah at the Sabah Finance Ministry meeting room here, on Wednesday.
Sabah Finance Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Mohd Sofian Alfian Nair, Sabah State Treasury deputy treasurer (Development) Hamdan Hamzani and Sabah JKR director Baharuhom K.K Sogon welcomed the recommendations and agreed to review and follow up on them, including updating existing guidelines and upgrading current systems.
The agreement was formalised through the signing of the Governance Improvement Report, witnessed by Fuad Bee.
Also present were MACC Sabah deputy director (Prevention) Alexander S. Kunghi and MACC Sabah Governance Investigation Branch chief Hamsia Abdul Ham.
