ACA learning construction

05/06/2003 The Star By Norulhuda Othman

Bid to stamp out corruption in industry

Johor Baru: Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) officers are now being taught elements of construction engineering - a move that will allow them to better investigate corruption and fraud in the industry.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the newly set-up construction engineering forensics course yesterday. ACA deputy director-general Datuk Mohd Zawawi Mohd Nordin said construction engineering knowledge was important as it would reduce the delay in investigating reported cases.

"Before this, each time we come across a case we have to refer it to experts for example from the Public Works Department. This slows down our work significantly.

He said the increased number of cases reported prompted the establishment of a new course - the Construction Engineering Forensics Course - especially for ACA officers conducted by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

"Because of this we have decided to enrol our officers in the nine-week course. This will also add on to professionalism among our officer when dealing with cases," he said.

He added that the increased number of cases where building contractors did not adhere to building specifications was also a cause for alarm.

The nine-week course would also include fieldwork assisted by contractors to educate officers on the possible ways in which construction projects may be exploited to the advantage of the contractors.

"With the course we hope officers will be more knowledgeable about about construction management. We also hope officers will fully understand laws and regulations to do with construction projects.

UTM deputy vice-chancellor Prof Dr Azman Awang said the court would provide ACA officers with basic knowledge to ensure they could detect exploitations.

"There are so many possible ways in which those dealing with construction could exploit the situation for their own benefit. These include the contractors themselves, sub-contractors, consultants and suppliers.

"The course will provide the officers with all the basic knowledge including construction engineering, land laws and even construction accounting," he said