The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will start its probe into the nine major irregularities highlighted in the Auditor-General's Report 2009.

NONE In its two hour meeting today, it has decided to summon the relevant authorities to its inquiry in two weeks.

PAC member Kamaruddin Jaafar told reporters today that among the issues they discussed were the mismanagement of higher education fund under Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN), the f ood replacement programme and the haemodialysis centre.

“We also found some irregularities in the army camp in Skudai (Johor) and the Penang Port Sdn Bhd,” Kamaruddin, who is also the PAS Tumpat MP, said without elaborating further.

azlan The audit report stated that underprivileged students listed under the the food supplement programme (RMT) of the Education Ministry were provided with two slices of white bread with margarine, instead of the sardine sandwiches they were promised.

Moreover, food suppliers in several primary schools around the country were also caught providing food way below par instead of the menu recommended under the RMT plan.

Apart from that, the audit report also cautioned the PTPTN that it would have deal with a deficit of RM46 billion in five years.

azlan It is found that it approved loans totalling RM23.78 million to 16,013 students who did not even apply for it.

Meanwhile, the audit report also discovered that 10,101 patients at five hospitals nationwide paid a total of RM143, 329 in excess fees between 2007 to 2009 for haemodialysis treatment.

The five hospitals named were Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Kedah, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Malacca Hospital, Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital in Terengganu and the Sarawak General Hospital.