KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Ministry secretaries-general, department heads and chief executives of government agencies have been asked to take immediate action on officers in ministries, departments, agencies or government-linked companies found to be involved in power abuse, misappropriation and wastage of public funds as has been raised in the Audit-General's Report 2008.

In issuing the order, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Sidek Hassan said the Special Task Force headed by him to study the report had agreed that the Audit-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang write in to the ministry secretaries-general, department heads and chief executives of government agencies concerned asking them to take prompt action.

The actions are:

* Conduct further investigations into power abuse cases, misappropriation and wastage of public funds that have been identified and take appropriate action against those involved either disciplinary action under Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993 or recommend surcharge under the Financial Procedure Act 1957.

If it was proven the offence committed was a criminal case, a report has to be lodged either with the police or with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

(This is important to instil good governance culture in the civil service, thus moving towards realising tne principle of high performance culture.

* Inform findings of investigations and action taken to the Auditor-General within one working week. The Auditor-General will then table the report received at the Special Task Force meeting; and

* Disciplinary action can be taken against secretaries-general, department heads and chief executives for failing to take action within the stipulated period.

Sidek said in a statement today the line of action has been agreed to by the Special Task Force at its second meeting on Nov 12.

The meeting also agreed that the Attorney-General's Department would prepare the procedural guidelines to serve as a guide to ministry secretaries-general, department heads and chief executives of government agencies.

The procedures are necessary to ensure actions taken on the people implicated are not challenged in court, he said.

On cases involving ministry secretaries-general or department heads, he said the letter (from the Auditor-General) will be sent directly to the Public Service Department director-general.

Sidek said cases involving contractors or consultants will be reported to the professional body concerned and a copy of the report will be sent to the Finance Ministry and the Contractor Services Centre in the Works Ministry to be blacklisted.

" The government agencies involved has been asked to step up enforcement to ensure the blacklisted companies are not awarded government contracts," he added.