All 25 ministries get excellent rating
HOWEVER, some shortcomings, inefficiencies identified
KUALA LUMPUR: All ministries aced their financial management last year, scoring excellent ratings or five stars, Parliament was told.
This was an improvement from previous years, said the Auditor General’s Report 2016 Series 1.
The National Audit Department surveyed 25 ministries and 18 federal departments.
“All 25 ministries achieved an excellent rating compared with 16 (64 per cent) and 20 (83.3 per cent) in 2015 and 2014, respectively,” said the report, which was tabled at Parliament yesterday.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low said the report would provide accountability and transparency of the government.
“The achievement of the ministries shows continuous transformation and improvement on the government’s part,” he told the New Straits Times.
Low welcomed the achievement of the ministries but stressed the need for more improvements.
Economist Dr Irwan Shah Zainal Abidin said the success of the ministries showed the government was serious in addressing issues of corruption and leakages while improving public finance.
“These are steps in the right direction. It also shows the high level of efficiency in the public service and an indication that the sector is getting better.”
Economist Datuk Jalilah Baba said prudent actions were taken by the ministries in achieving the outstanding results.
This, she said, would have a good impact on the country in terms of financial spending and expenditure savings.