Government open to KWAP, EPF RCI subject to findings, says Azalina

The government may consider a Royal Commission of Inquiry into KWAP and EPF if evidence suggests a need for a public inquiry.

Minister Azalina Othman Said stated that any issues with public fund management will be examined based on facts and evidence.

The proposal for an RCI requires Cabinet approval and the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong before proceeding with inquiry terms.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 —The government is open to considering a proposal to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the Retirement Fund (Incorporated) (KWAP) and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), should the need arise.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said this would apply if there is concrete information, evidence, or findings indicating a necessity for a comprehensive and independent public inquiry.

She added that the government remains committed to ensuring that any issues concerning the management of public funds including aspects of governance and investment decisions are examined based on facts and evidence, through appropriate oversight mechanisms.

“If the findings indicate a clear public need and interest for a special inquiry, a proposal to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) may be duly considered.

“In determining the necessity for an RCI whether it concerns institutions that manage public funds or any other institution the government takes into account public interest, the gravity of the issue, as well as available facts and evidence,” she said in a written reply to the Dewan Rakyat, which was published on the Parliament’s website today.

Azalina made these remarks in response to a question from Datuk Seri Dr. Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) regarding whether the government is prepared to consider establishing an RCI concerning KWAP (Retirement Fund Incorporated) and the EPF (Employees Provident Fund) in relation to their governance, investment management, or questionable financial decisions.

Addressing Shahidan’s query on the criteria used to determine the need for an RCI into institutions that manage public funds, Azalina explained that the prevailing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) require such a proposal to be submitted via a Cabinet Memorandum by the lead ministry.

“The memorandum is then submitted for Cabinet approval. Once approved, the Prime Minister will present the proposal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to seek His Majesty’s consent.

“If consent is granted, the establishment of the RCI will involve defining its terms of reference, membership, and the duration of the inquiry. These details are subsequently finalised through a gazette notification in the Federal Government Gazette before the RCI commences its functions,” she said. — Bernama

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如果证据表明有必要进行公开调查，政府可能会考虑成立皇家调查委员会，对 KWAP 和 EPF 进行调查。

部长阿扎丽娜·奥斯曼·赛义德表示，任何公共资金管理问题都将根据事实和证据进行审查。

皇家调查委员会的提案需要内阁批准和最高元首的同意才能进行调查。

吉隆坡，10 月 21 日讯——如有必要，政府愿意考虑成立皇家调查委员会 (RCI)，调查退休基金（股份有限公司）(KWAP) 和雇员公积金 (EPF)。

首相署（法律及体制改革）部长拿督斯里阿扎丽娜·奥斯曼·赛义德表示，如果确凿的信息、证据或调查结果表明有必要进行全面独立的公开调查，则适用此项规定。

她补充说，政府仍然致力于确保任何与公共资金管理有关的问题，包括治理和投资决策方面的问题，都通过适当的监督机制，根据事实和证据进行审查。

“如果调查结果表明公众有明确的需要和兴趣进行特别调查，则可以适当考虑成立皇家调查委员会（RCI）的提议。

“在决定是否需要成立RCI时，无论是涉及管理公共资金的机构还是任何其他机构，政府都会考虑公共利益、问题的严重性以及现有的事实和证据，”她在今天发表于国会网站上的给下议院的书面答复中说道。

阿扎丽娜发表上述言论是为了回应拿督斯里沙希丹·卡西姆博士（国盟-亚娄）提出的问题，该问题涉及政府是否准备考虑就退休基金公司（KWAP）和雇员公积金（EPF）的治理、投资管理或可疑的财务决策设立一个RCI。

针对沙希丹提出的关于确定管理公共资金的机构是否需要进行 RCI 审查的标准的问题，阿扎利娜解释说，现行的标准操作程序 (SOP) 要求此类提案由牵头部委通过内阁备忘录提交。

“该备忘录随后将提交内阁批准。一旦获得批准，首相将把该提案呈报给最高元首，以征得陛下的同意。”

“如果获得批准，皇家调查委员会的成立将包括确定其职权范围、成员组成和调查期限。这些细节随后将在皇家调查委员会开始履行职责之前，通过在联邦政府公报上发布公告予以最终确定。”她说道。——马新社

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