OPERATING procedures and work processes within Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will be reviewed following the arrest of one of its senior officials for charges of corruption and money laundering.
A task force comprising DBKL’s top management and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will look into the local authority’s workflow to plug loopholes in the system.
Federal Territories Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohan said although there was an established system in place currently, with the development in technology and partnerships, there was a need to keep up with the times.
“The MACC-DBKL taskforce will review how project approvals are given, departmental client charters and even how tenders are called.
“The task force will go through each department’s work process and make the necessary recommendations.
“This will work towards enhancing the current delivery system to be better,” he said during the 47th DBKL Enforcement Day parade in Tasik Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur.
Loga Bala, however, stressed that the move was not targeted at any individual in particular but was a preventive measure.
Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mohd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz, who was present at the event, said DBKL would not hesitate to take action against any employee who flouted the law.
“We have also sent out a circular to DBKL officers and staff who have bought properties from affiliated developers.
“From now, they are not allowed to do so and will have to declare their assets,” he said.
He added that departments that could have a loophole in its system were targeted for the exercise.
“Four departments within DBKL have gone through the process, including the Planning, Housing, Economic Planning and Development as well as the Human Resource Management departments,” he said.
On Sept 9, DBKL project management executive director Datuk Seri Syed Afendy Ali Syed Abid Ali claimed trial to 18 charges of corruption and money laundering involving about RM2.9mil and RM1.65mil.
He was charged in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act for allegedly accepting a bribe for his wife in the form of a shophouse worth RM930,000.
The offence carries a maximum of 20 years’ jail and a fine not less than five times the bribe amount upon conviction.
Syed Afendy was also charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code with eight counts of obtaining eight condominiums worth RM1.9mil without consideration, which carries a sentence of up to two years in jail or a fine if he is convicted.
He was also slapped with nine charges under the Anti-Money Laundering Act for accepting RM1.65mil from illegal activities. The nine offences carry a maximum jail term of 10 years or a RM5mil fine, or both.
Meanwhile, Mechanical and Technical Engineering Department director Dr Leong Siew Mun has been the acting project management executive director taking over Syed Afendy’s role.
DBKL also has yet to decide on the status of Syed Afendy.
It was reported that while his suspension was imminent, a meeting would take place in the next couple of days to decide if he would be on no-pay, half-pay or full-pay suspension.
