KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 — With the full blast of the spotlight on him, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said today he will take full responsibility for a RM100 million corruption scandal plaguing his ministry.

Though the allegation concerns a senior official who is said to have covertly siphoned off the ministry’s funds, Khairy said it is his job to ensure all processes are proper and he gave an assurance he will deal with the matter immediately.

“It is very important that I take responsibility. As the minister in charge, I have the responsibility to ensure that all process are fixed and corrected.

“My duty is to make sure an investigation is done properly and resolved,” he told a press conference at the Umno headquarters here.

Khairy also dismissed rumours that the corruption scandal was a political ploy against him.

“Corruption is corruption. I would not hide behind the excuse of this is a political conspiracy.

“We have to stand-up and face the criticisms. If it’s wrong, it is wrong,” Khairy added.

The Rembau MP also said the senior officer has been transferred out of the ministry and is currently under remand.

“Pursuant to that, I have asked my secretary-general to write to the Public Service Department for him to be issued with an interdiction order under Regulation 43.

“Technically he is still a civil servant, he is just not with my ministry any longer,” he said.

Khairy also said he personally has not seen “anything unusual” about the senior officer or his lifestyle.

“What was alleged in the media about his lifestyle was not apparent in the office,” he said.

Khairy also reassured the public that he and his ministry would fully cooperate with the MACC to restore public confidence.

“This is a big sum of money and the case has caused a lot of anger, and rightfully so.

“What happened is very regrettable and it is my responsibility to ensure we will furnish the investigators with all the information they need,” he said.