Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian authorities have unearthed a major scam involving the sale of sub-standard police gear and supplies which has cost the government at least 100 million ringgit (31.3 million dollars), a news report said Thursday.

A police committee conducting random pre-delivery inspections on supplies had discovered that equipment and supplies ranging from bullet-proof vests and anti-riot gear, to police beds, were of sub-standard quality and did not meet safety requirements, said director of the federal police logistics department, Mashuri Zainal.

"Initial investigations by the committee also revealed the involvement of not only police officers and men, but also civil staff and unscrupulous suppliers appointed by the Home Ministry," Mashuri told the Star daily.

At least 12 people, including police and government staff, have been placed under investigation over the scandal, the report said.

He said the police have requested that the contracts of the suppliers be terminated with immediate effect.

Mashuri said drill boots, among others, did not meet minimum safety standards.

"The heels fall off easily and the material used is not waterproof, while the boots worn by traffic policemen are also not waterproof as required.

"What shocked us even more was that the boots worn by those on United Nations duty ... are not even nail-proof," he was quoted as saying.

He said other findings by the committee revealed that flicker lights and traffic cones used by traffic police were of low quality and endangered both police and drivers.

Even the beds and beddings used by police in their quarters were found to be lacking, adding that machetes supplied to the police force were smaller than required and broke easily when used to chop wood.

"We found the iron rods used for the beds to be thinner than specified, while the pillows did not meet Malaysian standards, and were fire hazards.

"Our officers are uncovering more and more shoddy dealings as they probe further into the matter," Mashuri said.

Sources were quoted as saying that purchases of bullet-proof vests, anti-riot gear such as helmets and batons, have been put on hold pending investigations.

The report said the anti-corruption agency has begun a probe into the scandal. (dpa)