Auditor-General's Report Debate In Parliament Boosts Governance Reforms, Integrity - MPs

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- The debate on the 2025 Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) Series 2 in the Dewan Rakyat today has been described as a significant step towards strengthening the accountability and transparency of public institutions, in line with the government’s commitment to governance reforms.

Members of Parliament (MPs) praised the government’s decision to table LKAN 2/2025 for debate in the Dewan Rakyat as a progressive move, allowing elected representatives to scrutinise the audit findings and put forward constructive proposals for improvement.

They believe that this approach reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the integrity of public financial management while ensuring that the implementation of government programmes delivers tangible benefits to the people.

Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) said the debate on the report is clear evidence of the government’s ongoing reforms under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, which dares to make bold changes.

“Congratulations also to the National Audit Department for providing a detailed report and allowing the Dewan Rakyat to debate it… this is a reform measure that needs to be repeated,” he said during the LKAN 2/2025 debate session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) said the debate provided an opportunity for elected representatives to voice reprimands, views, and constructive criticisms on LKAN, thereby strengthening the checks and balances in line with the institutional reforms promised by the government.

Meanwhile, MPs who took part in the debate also offered reprimands and suggestions for improvements on the issues highlighted in LKAN, which involved the audit results of five programmes, activities, and projects across seven ministries, with the total audited cost amounting to RM48.873 billion.

Tan Kar Hing (PH-Gopeng) proposed that the cooking oil subsidy be transformed into targeted assistance through e-vouchers using the Central Database Hub (PADU) system, following the serious weaknesses in the Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme (COSS) highlighted in LKAN.

“With this voucher, consumers can make purchases at supermarkets, retail stores, or online. This approach will also reduce administrative burdens, increase transparency, and prevent leakages that have plagued the distribution chain,” he said.

Meanwhile, Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin) called for the immediate implementation and enforcement of a policy prohibiting foreigners from purchasing subsidised cooking oil, in response to the serious irregularities in the distribution system of essential goods.

“This act of embezzlement is a great betrayal of the people and must be stopped immediately. As a starting point, I suggest that the government utilise MyKad or MyDigital ID as a verification measure.

“At the same time, the total purchase amount should be recorded, and close, regular monitoring must be carried out on retailers,” he said.

Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang) also proposed the establishment of a disciplinary board report for government-linked companies (GLCs) to review every acquisition worth more than RM100 million, following the issue of palm oil plantation acquisition by FELCRA Berhad, which was highlighted in LKAN.

“The decision made by the FELCRA Berhad’s board of directors clearly failed to demonstrate the checks and balances mechanism that should be the foundation of every GLC.

“Therefore, I recommend that this issue be investigated by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) if there are any elements of malpractice behind the sale and purchase of these assets,” he said.

On the issue of contract procurement worth RM107.54 million under the Ministry of Defence, Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Bukit Bendera) said the matter was a clear breach of financial regulations.

“This may have been done to avoid board approval for a higher tender or to bypass the open tender process. When we fail to enforce the contract, pay in full without full delivery, and violate our own procurement rules, we not only lose money but also our preparedness and public trust,” she said.

-- BERNAMA