STERN action would be taken against any individual who is found negligent or flouting the standard operating procedure (SOP) relating to financial procedures, the Education Ministry (MOE) said.

The ministry said it would not compromise in matters involving school management, especially in matters involving finance.

“Strict action can be taken against anyone who fails to comply with the instructions given,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry’s statement came after a headmaster was found to have in his possession RM109,000 which was meant for his school. A thief allegedly broke into the headmaster’s car and escaped with the cash which was in a bag and left on the front passenger seat when he had gone to get a drink from a nearby restaurant in Semenyih.

The headmaster had withdrawn the money from a bank in Kampung Baru Semenyih.

Commenting on this matter, the ministry said that SOP was breached.

It said that ministry rules require that any cash withdrawal amounting to more than RM10,000 for school financial aid must be done with escorts.

“MOE, through the amendment letter to Financial Circular Number 20 of 2020: Early School Assistance, dated December 29, 2022, has reminded all school managers regarding compliance with the School Financial Management and Accounting Procedures that is currently in force.

“The Guidelines for Early School Assistance have also established the procedure for schools withdrawing cash from the bank. For amounts exceeding RM10,000, it must done be in a safe condition, with a police escort,” it said.

The ministry said it takes this incident seriously and that it will provide full cooperation to the police in assisting the investigation of the case. – January 18, 2023.