FORMER auditor-general Ambrin Buang has been appointed to head a government committee to look into government processes.

“Ambrin Buang will be appointed to a lead a special investigations committee to look into improving the procurement and administrative procedures in the government. The first ministry Ambrin has been tasked with is the Defence Ministry,” said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad after chairing a cabinet meeting today.

The 68-year-old Ambrin was instrumental in uncovering issues into the 1Malaysia Development Bhd and SRC International Sdn Bhd scandals.

The audit report, however, was kept under wraps by the Najib Razak government after it was placed under the Official Secrets Act in 2016.

Among the issues that Ambrin could be looking into include the controversial purchase of two Scorpene submarines from France in 2002.

France has started an inquiry on the alleged corruption which occurred during the purchase of the submarines. A close aide of Najib, Abdul Razak Baginda is reported to have received some €30 million (RM140 million) in consultancy fees from the purchase of the submarines.

He was subsequently charged with abetment in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu but acquitted.

Najib was the defence minister from 2000-2008.

Ambrin was replaced by Madinah Mohamad last year after serving as the auditor-general for 11 years. Her term expires on February 23, 2019.

Madinah’s husband is the Umno Kepong division chief.

A week after Pakatan Harapan came into power on May 9, Madinah declassified the 1MDB audit report. – June 6, 2018.