AUDIT REPORT The government could be missing up to RM2.61 million from its coffers, due to 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) recipients cashing in their vouchers more than once.

According to the Auditor-General’s Report, at least 6577 people have double dipped from the BR1M fund from 2012 till early 2014, costing the government RM3.34 million.

Of this number, only 1771 people have refunded the Finance Ministry.

“As at Dec 31, the number of recipients who encashed more than once and failed to refund the Finance Ministry totalled 1,555 people for BR1M 2012, 1,850 people for BR1M 2013 and 1,401 people for BR1M 2014,” the report read.

This means that 4,806 people have yet to refund the government an amount that could be as high as RM2.61 million.

The report also showed that some people have not just been double-dipping into the BR1M cookie jar, but have been cashing in their vouchers up to four times.

At least 42 cases have been recorded between 2013 till 2014.

The auditor-general recommended the government replace BR1M vouchers with approval letters for recipient without bank accounts, to prevent it from being cashed in more than once.

It also pointed out that there was “nonuniformity of internal control” for the distribution of BR1M vouchers in Selangor, Johor and Sabah during 2012 and 2013.

Overall however, the auditor-general found the implementation  of BR1M satisfactory, commending the Finance Ministry for improving on shortfalls in 2012 and 2013.

This includes blacklisting those who have yet to refund the ministry for cashing their vouchers more than once.

The BR1M programme is meant to alleviate the people’s burden via cash aid.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced in Budget 2015 that the amount will be increased from RM650 to RM950 to take into account the effect of the goods and services tax (GST).