AUDIT REPORT The Auditor-General’s Report 2013 Series 2 said issues related to wastage of funds by federal statutory bodies had dropped by 75 percent compared with the previous report.

Auditor-general Ambrin Buang said in general, statutory bodies have planned to carry out their activities and projects well but there were still weaknesses in terms of implementation and that should be addressed immediately.

“In terms of carrying out the planned activities or projects, 91.1 percent were found to have weaknesses due to inefficiency and failure to comply with regulations, job scope, supply, service that did not meet specification, substandard, inappropriate, unacceptable delay, weaknesses in management, procurement and maintenance of government assets,” he said in the report that

was tabled in Dewan Rakyat in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Ambrin said in the report that 55 suggestions were made to the federal government, 31 to the federal statutory bodies and 144 to the state governments.

To rectify the weaknesses, the report suggested evaluation on internal controls, internal audit unit to carry out performance audits on the management of programmes/activities/projects to ensure that they are implemented efficiently, economically and the stated objectives achieved.

Ambrin also suggested a detailed study on the government projects be carried out before they are approved for implementation.

“Stern disciplinary action or surcharge should be taken against officers who are found to be negligent or fail to discharge their duties without reasonable justification thereby causing losses to the government,” he said.

In addition to fulfilling legal requirements, he hoped the report would form the basis for improving the weaknesses, strengthening efforts and enhancing accountability and integrity.

“The report is also important in the government’s effort to increase productivity, creativity and innovation in the public service as well as creating a work culture which is fast, accurate and has integrity.

“Indirectly, this will also contribute to the achievement of the Government Transformation Programme 2.0 in fighting corruption under the National Key Results Areas (NKRA),” he said.

- Bernama