Audit Report Debate Shows MADANI Govt’s Transparency, Integrity - Azalina

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- The debate on the Auditor General’s Report (LKAN) in the Dewan Rakyat is not merely a formality, but reflects the government’s commitment to the principles of transparency, checks and balances, and integrity-based governance in line with the Malaysia MADANI framework, said Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) gave an assurance that all observations and findings in the report will be investigated and corrective action taken, adding that follow-up audits as of Dec 31, 2025 have recovered RM316.68 million for the government.

She said the amount includes revenue collections and repayments through penalty claims, outstanding rents, collection of liquidated ascertained damages (LAD), land lease arrears, as well as duties and taxes.

“The government views the presentation of the LKAN without a sincere and open debate as insufficient because good governance can only be achieved when all parties engage in discussion, provide input and carry out collective oversight.

“This debate is not a sign of weakness, but proof that the government has nothing to hide. Sincerity strengthens public confidence,” she said while presenting the motion on LKAN 1/2026 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Azalina said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed all ministers to examine issues of leakages, regulatory non-compliance, breaches of conditions, and planning weaknesses raised in the report, and to ensure corrective actions are implemented immediately.

She said LKAN must continue to be debated in Parliament so that all parties give serious attention to the issues raised.

“This is also part of the government’s efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public entities,” she said.

According to Azalina, the mandate of the Auditor-General is clearly provided under Articles 106 and 107 of the Federal Constitution and the Audit Act 1957, which require audits of the financial statements, financial management, and activities of ministries, departments, and government agencies.

She said the role of the National Audit Department is not only in financial audits but also audits in terms of compliance with regulations and principles to prevent irregularities, whether in the form of corruption, leakages or negligence.

To date, Azalina said LKAN has been debated seven times in the Dewan Rakyat, reflecting Parliament’s commitment not just to hear reports but to understand, question and evaluate every finding presented.

Azalina also said Malaysia’s improved performance in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), where the country ranked 54th out of 182 countries, shows positive reform momentum.

“This improvement is not a coincidence, but the result of structural reform measures consistently implemented by the MADANI government to strengthen fiscal accountability and public governance.

“Factors contributing to the CPI score improvement include the introduction of the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act 2023, which strengthens fiscal discipline and enhances transparency in national financial management.

“In addition, amendments to the Audit Act 1957 expanding the Auditor-General’s powers over government-linked companies and government-linked investment companies, the drafting of the Government Procurement Act 2025, as well as the implementation of amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 and Companies Act 2016,” she said.

Azalina added that accountability is not the government’s responsibility alone, but the result of combined efforts from various parties, including citizens who are brave enough to raise issues, the media’s efficiency in reporting findings, and the active role of society overall in monitoring the use of public funds.

LKAN 1/2026, tabled in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, contains two volumes covering audits of federal agency financial statements as well as performance audits of ministry programmes, departments and government company management.

-- BERNAMA