PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged the National Audit Department to roll out new initiatives and approaches focused on delivering meaningful outcomes and maximising benefits for the people.
Speaking at the department’s 120th anniversary celebration on Monday (Jan 26), Anwar said strengthening governance is essential to addressing persistent issues like fund misuse and leakages.
"I urge everyone here to ensure that auditing continues with a focus on maximum impact, not merely as routine maintenance, but as a process that delivers meaningful outcomes and benefits to the public," he said.
The Prime Minister emphasised that audits must be conducted swiftly, warning that slow processes create opportunities for abuse and a loss of transparency.
Anwar also addressed the importance of public perception, stating that auditing should not be viewed as intimidating or unnecessarily burdensome.
He acknowledged that while resistance often comes from those accustomed to misconduct, the department must introduce improvements in a way that is firm yet approachable.
"This requires the Auditor-General and the entire department to engage, understand, and empathise with stakeholders," he explained.
While expressing pride in the department’s performance, Anwar called for greater outreach and engagement at the grassroots level.
He stressed that audit systems must remain dynamic to prevent the country from being trapped in outdated thinking.
"There must be a healthy sense of restlessness that drives continuous improvement. We need teams that identify weaknesses and detect potential leakages before they worsen," he added.
To ensure national progress, Anwar said all parties must remain firm in their commitment to reform.
"If we want Malaysia to achieve a level of progress we can be proud of, we must mobilise all our strengths and pursue reform with determination," he concluded.
