KUALA LUMPUR: Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reports on proceedings into irregularities highlighted in the Auditor-General's Report 2021 are to be tabled for debates at the next Parliament sitting, says Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
The PAC chief said Agriculture and Food Ministry and Health Ministry officials had also met with the PAC on June 14 and June 15 regarding irregularities the report highlighted pertaining to their ministries.
The Agriculture and Food Ministry was called in to explain the RM37mil loss in public funds due to the 2021 obligation fund having yet to be received, unorganised payments worth RM0.73mil to deceased farmers, through padi price subsidy scheme payments and RM0.87mil wasted on machinery that had not been used or unable to function.
The Health Ministry was meanwhile called in to explain the 1.1 million vaccine doses that expired as of April 30, 2022; the 93 out of 106 ventilators obtained at the time but could not be used; and the 2.2% and 3.1% usage rate of boot covers and protective suits.
"The PAC has already heard explanations from both ministries.
"We are committed to present reports on these issues in the next Dewan Rakyat sitting," she told a press conference in Parliament on Thursday (June 15).
At a press conference on June 8, Mas Ermieyati said the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, and Rural and Regional Development Ministry would also be called in, in addition to the Agriculture and Health ministries.
On the Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) issue, she said the Defence Ministry would also be called in by the PAC in September to get an update on the LCS’ progress from June to September 2023.
"The PAC will present two reports on this during the Third meeting of the Second session of Parliament, which sits from Oct 9 to Nov 30 this year," she said.
