RM48b figure not leakages but total projects, auditor-general clarifies

Auditor-General Wan Suraya Mohd Radzi said the RM48.87 billion figure in the 2025 Auditor-General’s Report Series 2 referred to the total cost of audited programmes, activities, and projects.

The amount did not represent leakages or losses as reported by several media portals, she added.

“Such statements have the potential to create confusion and unfounded negative perceptions of the country’s financial management,” she said in a statement today.

Wan Suraya explained that the recent report covered the activities of ministries, departments, statutory bodies, and federal government-owned companies.

It contained matters raised from the audit of five programmes, activities, or projects across seven ministries.

She said the audit scope generally takes into account the performance of programmes, projects, and activities that have been implemented over several previous years (legacy issues), as well as any efforts or initiatives introduced by the government.

Accordingly, each finding presented in the report is accompanied by constructive recommendations aimed at helping ministries, departments, and agencies enhance operational efficiency and strengthen internal systems and compliance, she added.

Wan Suraya said a total of 44 issues reported in the report have been uploaded to the Auditor-General’s Dashboard (AGD) on Monday for follow-up action by the relevant ministries and departments.

“These same issues will also be discussed at the Auditor-General’s Report Follow-Up Committee and the Serious Irregularities Action Committee meetings, which are jointly chaired by the auditor-general and the secretary-general of the Treasury,” she said.

For the period from 2024 to June 2025, she added that audits conducted by the National Audit Department have successfully helped the government recover RM157.73 million.

“This includes collections from penalty claims, outstanding rental, liquidated ascertained damages, land lease arrears, as well as the collection of duties and taxes,” she said, adding that the report will be debated in the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow.

The public is advised to refer to the Auditor-General’s Report, officially published on the National Audit Department’s website at www.audit.gov.my, to obtain an accurate and comprehensive understanding of the audit findings presented.

- Bernama

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