Although there were not major blunders detected, the Auditor-General's Report 2011 on several Penang government departments and agencies have revealed less than satisfactory findings in their implementation processes.

NONE According to the preface written by auditor-general Ambrin Buang ( right ), the report, which is found on the National Audit Department website, is based on specific auditing done on five state departments, three agencies and three state government companies.

In the report, it is noted that two departments, the state Museum Board on its management of collections and historical artifacts and the State Secretariat Office on the management of state education fund were given "good" marks.

However, several others fell short, such as the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP), which received an allocation of RM17.01 million from the state budget for the management of food complexes and public markets, was reportedly "not so successful" in achieving the council's objectives.

The report stated that the MPPP had to bear a total cost of RM334,738 for security services over the period of two to five years to address the problems at food complexes and public markets.

"Three food complexes that were built were not utilised and the situation contributed to the activities of vandalism, damage and theft of facilities and equipment provided in the food complexes," the report said.

seller market 090805 The report added that a total of 25 percent of the business lots in the food complexes and public markets could not be rented out and until December 2011, the rental arrears amounted to RM 810,000.

The council manages a total of 62 food complexes and public markets - 27 in the North Zone, 18 in the South Zone and 17 in the Central Zone.

Revenue lost due to approval process

Secondly, the report revealed that the monitoring of land alienation until the final title processes by the Northern Seberang Perai District and Land Office was "not satisfactory".

According to the report, the approval process was not based on the current usage of land, which led to a loss of government revenue of RM261,841.

"The delay in approving the renewal application of land alienation up to 17 years involving 53 cases, which resulted in less quit rent being collected amounting to RM29,801," the report stated.

NONE On the implementation of e-Tanah system of the Seberang Perai District and Land Office, The audit team noted the accuracy of the report generated.

However, the report said that reminders were not issued to landowners with arrears, its user manual not updated and management of user identification and passwords were not according to the guidelines.

Meanwhile, delay in the construction of the lower syariah court in the Southwest district of Penang was also noted in the audit report.

It stated that while the department benefitted by having a new comfortable building, the project implementation process recorded several delays especially in the appointment of contractors and subcontractors.

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