04/02/2026

WEDNESDAY | FEB 4, 2026

2

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

‘Independent oversight needed for govt projects’

PUTRAJAYA: The Border Control and Protection Agency will establish its own intelligence and investigative capabilities, as the Home Ministry acknowledged gaps in the agency’s original structure. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the agency could no longer rely solely on intelligence from other enforcement bodies, and must develop a unit suited to its operational culture. “We already have intelligence elements in various agencies – under police, Armed Forces and Customs “So we have two choices. If we do not establish it, we would depend entirely on intelligence elements from other agencies. “If we have it, we have the opportunity to build an intelligence and information unit that suits (the agency’s) own work culture,” he told reporters at a press conference after delivering his mandate address at the Border Control and Protection Agency Mandate and Engagement Session at the agency’s Putrajaya headquarters. He added that he had given full discretion to the agency’s director general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain to carry out recruitment aligned with the agency’s functions. In line with this, it is planning to recruit and train 400 investigation officers to manage cases from start to finish, cutting reliance on other enforcement agencies. Earlier in his address, Mohd Shuhaily said the agency currently lacks the manpower to conduct in-depth investigations despite overseeing enforcement at key entry points nationwide. “At present, we have only four PETALING JAYA: Malaysia must move beyond paper-based integrity pledges and institutionalise independent, real time oversight for high-value and high-risk government projects to prevent losses of public funds, said Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin. She said weaknesses in government procurement were often only uncovered after money had already been spent or losses incurred, exposing the limits of relying on “after-the-fact investigations and enforcement”. “What is needed is credible monitoring throughout the entire procurement cycle, so risks and non-compliance could be detected early and corrected before they escalate into serious problems,” she said during a parliamentary debate on Jan 27. Mas Ermieyati, who is also the Masjid Tanah MP, cited a report titled Strengthening Integrity Pacts in Malaysia Through Independent Expert Monitors (IEM), which builds on the Integrity Pacts framework developed by Transparency International in the 1990s and now implemented in more than 30 countries. Published in July 2025, the report said although Malaysia has adopted Integrity Pacts in public procurement under Treasury Circular PK 1.6, the framework relies Ű BY NIK FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Credible monitoring required to correct risks, non-compliance early, says PAC chief largely on self-declaration and retrospective enforcement, with no independent oversight during the procurement process. It said this leaves major projects exposed to bid manipulation, cost inflation, contract mismanagement and political interference. Transparency International Malaysia president Raymon Ram proposed that independent oversight be made mandatory for procurements exceeding RM1 billion, projects of significant public interest and complex or technically specialised contracts. “Malaysia has adopted the Integrity Pacts mechanism but not in accordance with the intended framework, which includes IEM.

IEM is not to delay projects, but to provide neutral oversight, early detection of warning signs and clear corrective recommendations, particularly for high-value, high-risk and public-interest projects. “Public confidence cannot be rebuilt through signatures alone,” she said, calling on the Finance Ministry to strengthen procurement policy and implementation so that accountability and integrity are embedded throughout the procurement lifecycle. The call comes amid persistent concerns over procurement weaknesses and leakages in the Defence Ministry, following a series of high-profile cases involving cost overruns, delays and the non-delivery of assets despite billions of ringgit in allocations. On Jan 19, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin and Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng called for renewed scrutiny of Defence Ministry land swap deals that surfaced in 2018 but were never fully addressed. supporters to exercise self-control at all times and to safeguard the good name of both the team and the state. Earlier, 33 Selangor football supporters were remanded by the Kuala Terengganu Magistrate’s Court following the disturbance at the drawbridge at about 6.30pm on Feb 1. They were brought to court at 10.15am the next day. Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairudin said the case is also being investigated under drug-related offences, adding that 24 of the 33 supporters tested positive for drugs. He said three individuals were found in possession of ganja and Erimin 5. Meanwhile, Kuala Terengganu police chief Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor said the suspects were among 400 supporters detained at the district police headquarters for urine tests. The Selangor Soccer Fan Club clarified that it was not involved in the incident, distancing itself from the actions of UltraSel Curva supporters. The club expressed concern over the incident and urged fans to take it as a lesson and continue supporting their teams responsibly. Previously, videos circulated on social media showed Selangor FC supporters marching from Kuala Terengganu city towards Seberang Takir, waving team flags and lighting flares on the drawbridge.

previously to strengthening the Integrity Pact mechanism under the National Anti-Corruption Plan, which has since been replaced by the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, but added that the intended outcomes had not materialised in practice. She said although reforms were marked as completed, they appeared to have been implemented largely as a tick-box exercise, existing on paper rather than functioning as an effective governance mechanism. “In reality, Integrity Pacts are often reduced to declarations that are signed, while the most important element in international practice has been left out – independent third-party monitoring.” She also said IEM should be drawn from recognised professional bodies, including the engineering, architectural, surveying and accounting professions, to ensure credibility and competence. She emphasised that the role of committed

“The report highlights the gap and makes recommendations for adopting the framework in its entirety,” he told theSun . Raymon, who authored the report as a consultant to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, said implementation should begin with amendments to Treasury Circular PK 1.6, followed by statutory incorporation under a future Public Procurement Act. “Monitors should be selected through a transparent, merit-based process, granted full access to procurement documents and financial records and provided with legal protections to ensure their independence.” He added that prosecuting a handful of officials after scandals erupt would not address systemic weaknesses. “Meaningful reform would only occur when oversight is built into the system, rather than simply reacting after scandals explode,” he stressed. Mas Ermieyati said Malaysia had

Border agency to create investigation unit

Selangor Sultan rebukes local football fans for unruly behaviour

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has issued a stern rebuke against hooliganism and gangsterism among local football supporters, singling out the disgraceful conduct of individuals wearing Selangor FC jerseys during a public disorder incident in Terengganu. In a statement issued by the Selangor Royal Office on Facebook yesterday, Sultan Sharafuddin, who is also the patron of Selangor FC, expressed deep sadness and disappointment over the burning of flares on the Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge on Sunday. “His Royal Highness does not condone immoral behaviour such as hooliganism and gangsterism, which are increasingly spreading among local football supporters, particularly those wearing Selangor FC jerseys.” The Sultan urged police to identify those responsible and to take firm action, emphasising that anyone found guilty should face the maximum punishment provided under the law. “This should serve as a lesson to other Selangor FC supporters so that similar incidents do not happen again.” He also proposed that Selangor FC supporters convicted of causing public disorder be barred from entering stadiums for matches involving the team. The Sultan further called on all

Mohd Shuhaily speaking with colleagues at the Setia Perkasa Complex in Home Ministry headquarters. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ THESUN

under stricter screening measures. Operations this year have also shown results, with nearly RM1.5 million in seizures in January. At Port Klang, inspections have been stepped up under new leadership, with recent seizures including two containers of frozen meat and multiple e-waste containers. “It is too early to declare Port Klang a complete success. The new leadership has not even been in place for a month and is still learning container movement procedures.” He added that e-waste seizures at Port Klang totalled about 125 tonnes, and emphasised continued collaboration with the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission, police, Customs and other agencies. On integrity issues, Mohd Shuhaily admitted that misconduct has been a long-standing problem. “When something has gone on for a long time, it becomes a culture. The challenge for the agency is to remove old habits.”

DPPs, who are mostly tied up with legal advisory and legislative work rather than full prosecution duties. “We estimate we need about 400 investigation officers. That is a challenge, as we must train from our existing strength and through future recruitment.” He emphasised that police expertise remains vital to fast-track the agency’s enforcement capabilities. Currently, the DPPs focus on legal drafting and regulatory advice but would gradually take on prosecution work as the agency strengthens its investigative arm. Meanwhile, the agency is intensifying checks at major ports and entry points amid rising concerns over smuggling and illegal activities. Mohd Shuhaily also highlighted the agency’s 2025 achievements: RM82.1 million in seizures, including RM20 million in narcotics and RM59.9 million in agricultural and other prohibited goods, while 29,411 high-risk travellers were barred entry