KUALA LUMPUR – The 2024 Auditor-General’s Report will be debated in Parliament early next week, according to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi, who also serves as government’s spokesman, stated that this would allow lawmakers to express their views on the report, which was issued yesterday.
“We will listen to the lawmakers’ viewpoints to ensure appropriate actions are taken. We need to provide space for MPs and ministers to address the report first,” he said at his ministry’s press conference in Putrajaya today.
Fahmi assured that there are no concerns regarding the National Audit Department’s observations that should be brought to the attention of supervisory bodies such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
According to the A-G’s report issued yesterday, the National Professor’s Council and i2M Ventures Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Bhd, exhibit weak financial standings and have failed to meet their stated objectives.
On the other hand, only two companies – Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd and the Institute of Strategic and International Studies – have met their objectives, the report said.
Other companies that did not meet their stated objectives include Rangkaian Hotel Seri Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Mara Incorporated Sdn Bhd, International Islamic University Malaysia, and Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Bhd.
Among these, Mara Incorporated Sdn Bhd and International Islamic University Malaysia also exhibited weak financial standings.
The report also highlighted that the River of Life (RoL) project near Sg Gombak and Sg Klang in the city centre failed to meet its objective due to weaknesses in managing government projects.
Meanwhile, the Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) connecting Johor Bahru to Woodlands, Singapore, has increased in cost by 29.9% to RM5.245 billion.
The RM1.207 billion increase as of December 31, 2023 was due to an expanded work scope from light maintenance to heavy maintenance, among other added contracts.
The A-G has also submitted a total of 64 audit recommendations to be implemented by ministries, departments, agencies, and government companies audited at the federal level.
Following the A-G’s Reports for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, the government received refunds totalling an estimated RM100 million by the second quarter of 2024, which include claims, penalties, rent arrears, and collections of liquidated ascertained damages, the report said. – July 5, 2024