5 steps to address irregularities in Auditor General's report

By NST in July 24, 2025 – Reading time 2 minute

LETTERS: The latest Auditor General’s report once again exposes a troubling pattern of financial mismanagement, procurement irregularities, lack of compliance with regulations, poor supervision, and wastage of public funds.

These recurring weaknesses and shortcomings have been highlighted year after year, yet the same systemic failures persist with little accountability.

What is most alarming is the apparent absence of transparency and integrity among those entrusted with public resources.

The failure to follow procedures, overpayments, delays in project completion, and procurement without proper documentation are not just administrative lapses—they reflect a deeper culture of negligence and impunity within certain agencies.

We urge the government to treat the findings of the Auditor General with utmost seriousness and take swift corrective measures, including:

1. Immediate Disciplinary and Legal Action – Officers found to have committed

serious breaches or misconduct must face prompt disciplinary action or prosecution. Without consequences, there will be no deterrence.

2. Strengthening Oversight Mechanisms – Internal audit units must be empowered and made independent to carry out real-time monitoring, not just post-audit checks.

3. Mandatory Transparency in Procurement and Project Implementation – All government departments and agencies must make procurement processes more transparent and accountable to the public. An online, publicly accessible procurement dashboard should be established.

4. Periodic Integrity Audits – Beyond financial audits, there must be regular integrity audits, especially in high-risk departments, to detect and prevent corruption.

5. Parliamentary Oversight and Accountability – The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) must be empowered to summon and question not just departmental heads, but also ministers if necessary. Parliament must no longer be a mere observer but an active enforcer of accountability.

The public has every right to demand better governance. It is unacceptable that while taxpayers fulfil their duties, those entrusted with managing public funds continue to act with carelessness or even dishonesty.

The time has come not just to acknowledge the Auditor General’s findings — but to act decisively on them.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE

Kuala Lumpur

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