PUTRAJAYA, May 3 — The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) takes a serious view of issues involving governance, corruption, and misconduct that can affect the national water service industry's service and image.
Referring to the recent arrest of two senior officers of a water supply company in Johor by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), it said that as an agency which regulates the country's water service industry via the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655), it practices "zero tolerance” towards corrupt practices and misuse of power in the water service industry.
"SPAN reiterates that it is the responsibility of the board of directors and top management of water supply companies to ensure their organisations practice the highest level of integrity and ethics, as well as the best internal control as stipulated in the special conditions of the licence which requires compliance with the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Framework,” it said in a statement today.
SPAN also urged the relevant organisations to comply with all the stipulated Acts and regulations, stressing that it would take stern action based on its jurisdiction against any individual or organisation suspected of committing any offences under Act 655.
"SPAN will also fully cooperate with the MACC to ensure Malaysia's water service industry is free from corruption and misconduct,” it added.
On April 30, the MACC arrested two senior officers of a water supply company in Johor to assist in an investigation into their accepting bribes.
It was learnt that the investigation stemmed from several complaints filed last year about the suspects allegedly receiving bribes from the owners of two contracting companies in return for assisting the respective companies in obtaining service and supply contracts from the water supply company.
The two suspects are also alleged to have produced documents containing false information regarding an application for donations for a RM3.3 million programme, even though it was not fully implemented.
— Bernama
