The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has submitted six formal recommendations to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) to strengthen the governance of financial aid provided to non-Muslim houses of worship. These proposals aim to improve how maintenance funds are managed and disbursed, ensuring that public money is used effectively for its intended purpose. The initiative follows a series of investigations by the Negeri Sembilan MACC, which uncovered instances where some religious institutions failed to complete maintenance projects despite receiving government funding.
Key recommendations include a requirement for all applicant institutions to be registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) or recognized under relevant religious laws. The MACC also proposed that extensions for project deadlines be granted only in exceptional circumstances. Furthermore, the commission suggested creating a clear procedure for the return of unspent funds or for cases where an applicant is found to have breached the conditions of their funding agreement.
To enhance monitoring, the MACC advised the ministry to adopt more detailed repair work forms and require physical site inspection reports, which must include photographic evidence from visits. Additionally, the commission proposed a new declaration requirement under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009. This would legally require applicants to certify that all submitted documents and information are accurate and compliant with existing regulations.
The Ministry of Housing and Local Government has welcomed these suggestions. During a presentation in Putrajaya, the ministry's deputy secretary-general for housing and community wellbeing, Zulkeflee Sulaiman, agreed to adopt the recommendations. This move is intended to bolster internal controls and ensure greater transparency in the distribution of maintenance assistance to non-Muslim religious communities nationwide.