The auditor-general has given a 'clean bill of health' to Sarawak's 2009 public accounts, the eighth consecutive year that it has given the state such status, Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud said today.

Taib, who is also state finance minister, said the state government must sustain this performance by having all controlling officers, including heads of ministries, departments and agencies, view the observations and weaknesses highlighted in the auditor-general's report and take remedial steps.

"I would like to bring to the attention of the press to give a balanced report of the auditor-general's comments so that the financial position of the state is not misunderstood by the general public," he said when tabling the Supply (2011) Bill, which was later passed at the Sarawak legislative assembly.

Taib said the state public accounts were not only subjected to the scrutiny of the auditor-general but also monitored by the rating agencies periodically and in a disciplined manner, in accordance with prescribed high international financial and accounting standards.

All state statutory bodies and government-linked companies in Sarawak were also required to comply, he added.

He said that all strategies and control mechanism in place had been part and parcel of the state's proactive financial management strategy to preserve  prosperity and political stability.

- Bernama