The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) seriously views the failure of Tourism and Culture Ministry officials to comply with financial procedures set in place in the management of events.

PAC chairperson Hasan Arifin said the ministry should take a more decisive action to ensure that procedures were followed.

"PAC is of the view that reports prepared by the National Audit Department should be more focused on the budget and made objectively," he said in a statement on the PAC report on event management under the ministry tabled in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The issue previously discussed in the Auditor-General's Report 2013 Series 3 and tabled in Parliament on Nov 10, 2014, and proceedings thereon discussed on April 7 last year by the ministry's secretary-general, Dr Ong Hong Peng called for an explanation.

Hasan said in these proceedings, several matters had been raised including 'improper payments' made without supporting documents, bad management of events, specification of supplies and services that did not comply with regulations and choice of locations for events.

Other issues touched on involved the appointment of a special contractor to carry out public relations services which was incompatible with the functions of the ministry.

"Promotions and public relations activities should be carried out by Tourism Malaysia," noted Hasan.

Moreover, he said there were inconsistencies in planning, and the rented banquet chairs exceeded the amount of food ordered from 53.9 percent to 300 percent.

Other issues raised were safety management for the event, for example for the Labuan Water Festival Programme, the location of installation for the fireworks was found to be unsafe.

Hasan said PAC suggested the 'time-based' contracts be scrapped because it made it easier for contractors to manipulate the payment.

He said implementation of contracts must be made based on contract management procedures and sound financial management.

- Bernama