PETALING JAYA: The incomplete Eastern Sabah Security Command forward operating base project in Pulau Mabul, Semporna, Sabah has come under scrutiny in the latest Auditor-General’s report released on Monday (Oct 6).
In a statement, Auditor-General Datuk Seri Wan Suraya Mohd Radzi said the base was supposed to be completed by November 16, 2024 under the Second Rolling Plan of the 11th Malaysia Plan.
“Key issues identified include delays in the construction of the Relocation Building, the main building excluding the Relocation Building which remains incomplete, and the jetty construction which has yet to begin,” said Wan Suraya.
The RM41mil project planned in 2016 was to be completed within 36 months, and Esscom was expected to begin operations at the base in early January 2024.
As a pioneer project for Esscom and marine police, it was meant to serve as a tactical headquarters to control and monitor the seas.
In the statement, Wan Suraya said that as of early this year, the National Audit Department has expanded auditing to 1,856 other entities, including companies, via the e‑SelfAudit system.
“The e‑SelfAudit system incorporates digitalisation and the latest technologies to enable all these companies to be audited annually,” she said.
“The Federal Government Financial Statement for the year ended December 31, 2024, presents a true and fair view of the Federal Government’s financial position,” said Wan Suraya.
“Overall, the Federal Government’s financial performance in 2024 improved, with a reduction in the deficit and the deficit‑to‑GDP ratio compared to 2023,” she added
“In 2024, the deficit decreased by RM12.224bil to RM79.166bil, compared with RM91.390bil in the previous year,” said Wan Suraya.
“The deficit‑to‑GDP ratio also declined to 4.1% compared with 5.0% in 2023, and was better than the 4.3% target set in Budget 2024,” she said.
“This achievement lays a strong foundation for achieving the medium‑term deficit target of under 3%,” she added.
