The Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has revealed plans to amend the country’s Audit Act 1957 following agreement from the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption on recommendation to boost the independence of the National Audit Department.
“This includes amending the Audit Act so that the auditor-general can act independently,” Mahathir was reported as saying by local media, including the Malay Mail and The Star. “What has happened in the past was that the prime minister directs the auditor-general to audit this and not to audit that. That is wrong. The auditor-general must be free to take action that he thinks fit,” he said.
Since Mahathir returned to office as prime minister, the Malaysia government has been working hard to tackle corruption and is six months in to its National Anti-Corruption Plan.
