Auditor-General's Report: Nine performance audits done on eight ministries involving RM10.75bil

KUALA LUMPUR: Nine performance audits involving a total of RM10.75bil were carried out last year on programmes, activities and projects undertaken by eight ministries, according to the Auditor-General’s Report 2021 Series 1 released Wednesday (Aug 3).

Overall, the report said the implementation of Federal Government programmes, activities and projects were in accordance with the objectives although some weaknesses were found, such as output targets and set outcomes that were either not achieved or could not be evaluated.

"This is because quantitative targets, mechanisms and indicators were not set, and related data was not maintained completely and updated,” the report said.

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Therefore, the Auditor-General has put forward 33 recommendations to be considered for implementation by the audited ministries, departments and agencies.

The report said the audit on the management of Federal Government companies focused on the achievement of each company's establishment objectives by examining three aspects: corporate governance, activity management and the company's financial position.

Audits on special-purpose vehicle (SPV) companies were carried out to evaluate the performance of activities, corporate governance practices and the management of their activities.

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"Overall, two of the Federal Government companies were found to have achieved their objectives, two showed satisfying corporate governance practices, and one had a strong financial position.

"As for SPV companies, five (20%) achieved their specific purpose, 18 (72%) are in the midst of implementing their specific functions, and two (8%) were found to have changed their specific functions,” the report said.

In order to enable improvements, the Auditor-General submitted 15 recommendations to each company's management for action.

On the activities of ministries, departments, agencies and company management at state level, the National Audit Department conducted a performance audit of 15 programmes, activities and projects involving three ministries in Sabah and Sarawak.

According to the report, 124 recommendations were submitted by the Auditor-General, 62 of which are to be considered for implementation by ministries, departments, and state agencies, and 62 others by the management of the relevant state government companies.

"All controlling officers, heads of departments and chief executive officers concerned have been informed in advance about the matters in the report for verification purposes,” it said.

The report will be uploaded on the website of the National Audit Department after being tabled in the Dewan Rakyat, and the respective state legislative assemblies. – Bernama