MIMOS Bhd today defended the domestic inquiry that led to the dismissal of four senior executives after they were accused of misappropriating funds.

It denied media reports that the dismissals have to do with attempts to cover-up pilferage of large sums of project funds within the organisation.

Mimos said in a statement today the four executives were “the subject of an exhaustive investigation by the Mimos internal audit team” that led to a domestic inquiry and ultimate dismissal in April.

“The domestic inquiries by Mimos were conducted with full transparency and independence without any interference by the management and the board of directors.

“At all stages of the disciplinary proceedings, the executives were given ample opportunities to present their respective cases. Mimos takes pride in following due process and treating its employees and officers with fairness and respect.

“Mimos has sought legal advice and will take the necessary action against those responsible for the allegations put forth against it.”

The four officers had allegedly utilised the funds to foot expenses for attending conferences held in Kuching and the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

They were said to have attended the conferences to present their doctorate thesis.

According to a letter by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), which The Malaysian Insight sighted, the amount involved was RM13,615.

The letter was sent by MACC to the Treasury, requesting that it look into the matter as Mimos is owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated but is supervised by the International Trade and Industry Ministry.

The Treasury was asked to respond to the anti-graft agency on its next course of action, within two weeks, for record purposes.

The Malaysian Insight is still waiting for confirmation from the MACC on the matter. 

The Malaysian Insight also sighted a show cause letter dated December 13, presented to one Mimos official that revealed that the agency’s board of directors had launched a probe following instructions from the MACC.

“With reference to the above mentioned subject matter, the board has received an instruction to investigate the allegations reported based on a request by the MACC, via its letter dated last October 25 to the Finance Ministry.”

The official had allegedly used RM6,091.37 between June 18, 2018 and August 18, 2018 to attend the conferences, to cover registration, travel and other related expenses.

Mimos board of directors said the usage of the sum for personal development and interest was a breach of its code of ethics.

The official was also accused of plagiarising the content of papers that were presented at the conference.

The official was told to go on leave in a letter issued last Nov 30, pending investigations into allegations of abuse of power and position for misappropriating funds allocated for the Icomm Kenyir Hulu Terengganu project, related to his doctorate course.

He was later terminated after a domestic inquiry.

When contacted, Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Ong Kian Ming and a spokesperson of Finance Ministry have declined to comment on the matter. – June 12, 2019.