Over 52 pct of audit issues in AG’s Report 2013 solved — Minister

SERDANG: More than 52 per cent of audit issues involving the Federal and State governments in the 2013 Auditor- General’s (AG) Report have been solved, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan said yesterday.

He said the National Audit Department had tabled the 2013 AG’s Report thrice in Parliament - April 7, June 16 and Nov 10 last year.

“Through monitoring and follow-up carried out by the National Audit Department, the percentage of issues solved in the AG’s Report for the year 2013 for federal and state governments is between 52 per cent to 66 per cent,” he said when launching the Auditor General’s Dashboard Version 2 at Malaysian Agricultural Expo Park Serdang (Maeps), here.

He added that more than 85 per cent of the audit issues in the 2011 and 2012 AG’s Report had been solved, as of Feb 28 this year.

Low said the newly launched Auditor- General’s Dashboard Version 2, which took into account the feedbacks by auditees through online responses and public comments, would further enhance the image of the public service.

“It will not only encourage transparency but it also facilitates the people to get concised, accurate and fast information on government’s action on issues highlighted in the AG’s Report,” he said.

“With the view to assist the National Audit Department in resolving issues raised in the AG’s Dashboard, one of my Key Performance Indicators ( KPI) for this year is to resolve 85 per cent of the audit issues in the AG’s Report 2014 Series which is to be tabled in Parliament next month,” he said.

AG’s Dashboard Version 1 was launched in May 2013, which is accessible by all parties including the public to find out the status of the issue whether there is no action, in action or completed/ finished.

However, the upgraded AG’s Dashboard Version 2 included the direct involvement of the auditees, public comment ( public can give their views and comments on AG’s Report), feedback from auditees are online, supporting documents can be uploaded.

Besides the ability to generate reports and statistics, the AG’s Dashboard Version 2 is more user- friendly, faster and more transparent.

Low also launched the second edition of the Excellent Financial Management From the Perspective of National Audit Department. Also present was Auditor- General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang.

Meanwhile, Ambrin, who was satisfied with the percentage of the issues resolved in the AG’s Report, said the department would continue to monitor the process of resolving issues from time to time.

“This will take some time for corrective action to be taken,” he said.

Ambrin was confident that the AG’s Dashboard Version 2 would speed up the settlement of issues raised in the AG’s Report and improve public perception on the report.

On the second edition of the Excellent Financial Management From the Perspective of the National Audit Department, Ambrin said it formed a guideline to assist the government ministries, departments and agencies.

“I am confident that the book will improve performance in the management of national finances to achieve five-star excellence,” he said. — Bernama