Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Agency Proposes Expanding Building Commissioner's Powers

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM) is proposing amendments to the Strata Management Act 2013 (Act 757) to strengthen oversight of stratified property management. The key recommendation involves expanding the investigative powers of the Building Commissioner (COB).

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The measure aims to streamline financial governance and procurement in the management of stratified areas with greater integrity.

According to an SPRM statement, the proposed changes aim to enable closer monitoring of conflicts of interest and the misuse of management funds within stratified property areas. These recommendations are part of six proposed improvements submitted by SPRM's Governance Investigation Division to the National Housing Department under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

"The measure aims to streamline financial governance and procurement in the management of stratified areas with greater integrity," the statement read. Key enhancements include amending Act 757 to broaden the COB's investigative authority concerning conflicts of interest and fund misappropriation. SPRM also suggests enforcing compliance through compounding offenses to expedite actions and improve adherence, along with formalizing financial and procurement guidelines as legal obligations with clear procedures.

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amendments to Act 757 to broaden the COB's investigative authority concerning conflicts of interest and fund misappropriation, enforcement through compounding offenses to expedite actions and improve adherence, and the formalization of financial and procurement guidelines as legal obligations with clear procedures.

SPRM further recommended developing an e-Reporting system based on Singapore's Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act (BMSMA) 2004 model to enhance transparency in periodic reporting and reduce the risk of document manipulation. Other suggestions include restructuring staffing by adding personnel and establishing optimal ratios to improve monitoring effectiveness, alongside enhancing officer competency through continuous training in finance, audit, procurement, and enforcement.

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developing an e-Reporting system based on Singapore's Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act (BMSMA) 2004 model to enhance transparency in periodic reporting and reduce the risk of document manipulation.