Ministry committed to improving local authorities' effectiveness, integrity, says Nga

SEREMBAN: The Housing and Local Government Ministry is committed to enhancing the effectiveness and ethical standards of Local Authorities through the implementation of the Financial Statement Strengthening Course, which is currently being conducted in Bandar Enstek here.

Minister Nga Kor Ming said the course, attended by 200 PBT members nationwide and conducted by the National Audit Department, aims to familiarise participants with efficient and organised financial statement practices.

"This course aligns with the Madani Government's vision for all public departments and organisations to uphold good, effective, efficient and transparent governance, ensuring the delivery of optimal and integrated services.

"These include human resource management, accounting and financial management and transparent reporting systems and they serve as crucial evaluation criteria in the Local Authority Star Rating System, which has been enforced since 2009,” he said in a statement after officiating the course on Thursday (Feb 22).

This inaugural course for representatives, being held for three days beginning on Thursday, is a collaborative effort between the ministry and JAN through the National Audit Academy (ANN).

Nga added that the country currently holds the 27th position in the Global Competitiveness Index, reflecting the dedication of both the government and civil servants, whose commitment serves as a crucial safeguard for the nation.

He noted that in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023, Malaysia has improved its ranking from 63rd in 2021 to 57th, signalling progress in building the national economy and demonstrating the government's commitment to combating corruption. - Bernama