The government will not stop the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) from investigating any information contained in the 2006 Auditor-General's Report, said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today.

"The government will not hinder ACA's actions," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Abdullah said the Auditor-General's Report was a source of information that could be scrutinised by the ACA to determine whether there was a need for investigation.

"We will not stop the ACA from carrying out investigations based on the report," he added when asked whether the allegations of mismanagement of funds contained in the report were discussed at the Cabinet meeting Wednesday.

On whether the report could be the basis for investigation into all parties allegedly involved in mismanagement of funds, Abdullah said ACA would do so if necessary.

"I don't want to say that it (AG's report) is the basis as you (reporters) could then come out with alarming news reports on this.

"But if the information gives rise to suspicion or if there are irregularities, definitely the ACA would want to investigate," he said.

Allegations of mismanagement

The prime minister also revealed that all the ministers concerned have told him that they had informed their officers to be prepared with the answers to the allegations contained in the report.

"They are already attending to it," he added.

The 2006 Auditor-General's Report issued last Friday, among others, revealed several cases of mismanagement of public funds by a number of ministries, including the Youth and Sports Ministry, involving the purchase of items and equipment costing more than triple their market price.

The ministry's secretary-general was also reported to have signed, on behalf of the government, 11 contracts worth RM7.99 million to RM74.2 million pertaining to the National Skills Training Institute.

Meanwhile, several quarters have also asked Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also defence minister, to explain the RM6.75 billion scandal of six Offshore Patrol Vessels that have either not been delivered or not operational.