Latest news with #AzalinaOthmanSaid
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Dewan Rakyat approves AG's Report
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat yesterday approved the Auditor General's Report 2/2025 on the activities of federal government ministries, departments, statutory bodies, and companies. The report includes matters raised from audits on five programmes, activities, and projects across seven ministries. The motion, tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, was passed by a majority voice vote after being debated by 32 Members of Parliament. When winding up the debate for the department, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran clarified that the Auditor-General may be appointed from among public service officers. "For the information of Honourable Members, Clause 1 of Article 105 of the Federal Constitution provides that the Auditor-General shall be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) on the advice of the Prime Minister after consultation with the Conference of Rulers. Referring to Article 105 read together with subparagraph 1(1) of the First Schedule to the Audit Act 1957 (Act 62), the Auditor-General may be appointed from among members of the public service, and such appointment is valid," he said. Kulasegaran was responding to Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), who had questioned the appointment of Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi as Auditor-General while she was still serving in the civil service. Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, during his winding-up speech, said continuous improvements are underway following the LKAN investigation into procurement management at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). He said that since Feb 28, measures have been taken to align with the Higher Education Strategic Direction 2025, including urging the Internal Audit Committee to follow up after discovering that several procurement circulars previously used were outdated. "For example, UKM was still referring to Treasury Procurement Circular 2.0 when it had already been updated to version 2.2. The Pre-Tender and Coordination Committees have also been dissolved, effectively ending their functions," he said. Rural and Regional Development deputy minister Datuk Rubiah Wang, responding for her ministry, said it had taken note of AG's Report 2/2025's criticisms regarding Felcra Bhd's oil palm estate performance. Rubiah explained that plantation yields could only be measured progressively, noting that three out of four estates had shown improved output and profits, including Estet Telupid in Sabah, and Sungai Rawit 2 and Aring estates in Kelantan. "However, the current performance of one estate, Estet Dabong, has yet to reach the targeted level. This must be understood in light of unexpected factors, such as a shortage of skilled plantation workers and extreme weather affecting harvesting operations. Nevertheless, Felcra has taken proactive measures, including increasing the number of harvesters and progressively repairing agricultural roads. Recovery efforts are expected to yield more positive results moving forward," she said. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, in his winding-up speech, said contractor selection for Phase 1B of the Pan Borneo Sabah Highway Project was conducted through a selective pre-qualification open tender. He said the process was essential to ensure only companies with proven technical, financial, and experience capacity were awarded the large-scale, high-impact project. Nanta also cited delays in land acquisition, utility relocation, labour shortages, and material constraints as key challenges, adding that the ministry had taken remedial steps in collaboration with relevant agencies. Meanwhile, Energy Transition and Water Transformation deputy minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said all criticisms raised, including those on procurement management, would be taken into account.
The Star
4 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Parliament approves Auditor-General's Report 2/2025
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat has approved the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) 2/2025 on the Activities of Ministries/Departments/Statutory Bodies/Federal Government Companies, which contains matters raised from audits on five programmes, activities and projects across seven ministries. The motion on it, tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, was passed by a majority voice vote after being debated by 32 MPs on Wednesday (July 23). Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran, when winding up debate for the department, clarified that the Auditor-General may be appointed from among public service officers. "For the information of Honourable Members, Clause 1 of Article 105 of the Federal Constitution provides that the Auditor-General shall be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) on the advice of the Prime Minister after consultation with the Conference of Rulers. "Referring to Article 105 read together with subparagraph 1(1) of the First Schedule to the Audit Act 1957 (Act 62), the Auditor-General may be appointed from among members of the public service, and such appointment is valid," he said. Kulasegaran was responding to Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), who had questioned the appointment of Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi as Auditor-General while she was still serving in the civil service. Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, during his winding-up speech for his ministry, said continuous improvements were being undertaken following the investigation into procurement management at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). He said that since Feb 28, several measures have been taken to align with the Higher Education Strategic Direction 2025, including encouraging the Internal Audit Committee to take follow-up action after discovering that several procurement circulars previously used were outdated. "For example, UKM was still referring to Treasury Procurement Circular 2.0 when it had already been updated to version 2.2. The Pre-Tender and Coordination Committees have also been dissolved, effectively ending their functions," he said. Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang, while responding on behalf of her ministry, said it had taken note of LKAN 2/2025's criticisms concerning Felcra Berhad's oil palm estate performance. She explained that plantation yields could only be seen progressively, with three out of four estates having shown increased output and profits, including Estet Telupid in Sabah, and Sungai Rawit 2 and Aring estates in Kelantan. "However, the current performance of one estate, Estet Dabong, has yet to reach the targeted level. This must be understood in light of unexpected factors, such as a shortage of skilled plantation workers and extreme weather affecting harvesting operations. "Nevertheless, Felcra has taken proactive measures, including increasing the number of harvesters and progressively repairing agricultural roads. Recovery efforts are expected to yield more positive results moving forward," she said. During the winding-up session for the Works Ministry, minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the contractor selection process for Phase 1B of the Pan Borneo Sabah Highway Project was carried out through a selective pre-qualification open tender. He said this approach was vital to ensure that only companies with proven technical, financial, and experience capacity were awarded the large-scale, high-impact project. Nanta also acknowledged other challenges, including delays in land acquisition, utility relocation, and shortages of labour and construction materials, which had impacted project timelines. However, he said the ministry had taken improvement measures through engagements with relevant agencies. Meanwhile, Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, during the winding-up for his ministry, said that all comments and criticisms, including on procurement management, would be taken into account. The Dewan sits again on Thursday (July 24). – Bernama
Barnama
4 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
Dewan Rakyat Approves Auditor-General's Report 2/2025
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- The Dewan Rakyat today approved the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) 2/2025 on the Activities of Ministries/Departments/Statutory Bodies/Federal Government Companies, which contains matters raised from audits on five programmes, activities, and projects across seven ministries. The motion on it, tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, was passed by a majority voice vote after being debated by 32 Members of Parliament. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran, when winding up debate for the department, clarified that the Auditor-General may be appointed from among public service officers. 'For the information of Honourable Members, Clause 1 of Article 105 of the Federal Constitution provides that the Auditor-General shall be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) on the advice of the Prime Minister after consultation with the Conference of Rulers. 'Referring to Article 105 read together with subparagraph 1(1) of the First Schedule to the Audit Act 1957 (Act 62), the Auditor-General may be appointed from among members of the public service, and such appointment is valid,' he said. Kulasegaran was responding to Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), who had questioned the appointment of Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi as Auditor-General while she was still serving in the civil service. Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, during his winding-up speech for his ministry, said continuous improvements were being undertaken following LKAN's investigation into procurement management at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). He said that since February 28, several measures have been taken to align with the Higher Education Strategic Direction 2025, including encouraging the Internal Audit Committee to take follow-up action after discovering that several procurement circulars previously used were outdated. 'For example, UKM was still referring to Treasury Procurement Circular 2.0 when it had already been updated to version 2.2. The Pre-Tender and Coordination Committees have also been dissolved, effectively ending their functions,' he said.
The Star
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Azalina tables motion to extend debate on Auditor-General's Report
KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (pic) tabled a motion in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (July 23) to extend the debate on the Auditor-General's Report. This is to facilitate institutional checks and balances, she said, adding that the move is part of ongoing reforms to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of public entities. ALSO READ: Auditor-General's Report: Three UKM tenders worth over RM50mil did not follow SOP It is also to reinforce the government's push for stronger public sector governance and supporting the oversight of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), she added. "In line with the principles of transparency and accountability, the government has taken a significant step by not only tabling the report in this Honourable House but also allowing it to be openly debated. "This is a departure from previous administrations that only tabled the report without debate,' she said while tabling the motion, adding that since June 6, 2023, the report has been debated four times. ALSO READ: Auditor-General's report: Felcra's acquisition of Gua Musang oil palm estates hasty She said the report, which covers the activities of ministries, departments, statutory bodies and Federal Government-linked companies, presents audit findings on five programmes, activities, or projects across seven ministries, with a total audited value of RM48.873bil. Azalina said the Auditor-General's Report 2/2025 highlighted serious irregularities in three of the five audited programmes, potentially undermining their efficiency and intended impact. "To address these shortcomings and prevent recurrence, the report sets out 22 recommendations for the relevant ministries, departments, agencies and federal government-linked companies to act upon. ALSO READ: Auditor-General's Report: Weaknesses in contract, procurement management over Mindef's armoured vehicles between 2020 and 2023 "This initiative creates a direct avenue for more members of parliament to play an active role in ensuring government funds are managed prudently in the public interest,' she said. She added that the debate is also intended to provide a platform for discussing concrete steps to address the issues raised, ensuring they are given due attention before effective corrective action is taken. Azalina further noted that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed the need for all responsible ministers to thoroughly review every finding raised in the report, especially recurring issues that remain unresolved. – Bernama
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Auditor-General's Report: Azalina tables motion to extend debate on RM48.9b audit findings for stronger oversight
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said tabled a motion in the Dewan Rakyat today to extend the debate on the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) to facilitate institutional checks and balances. She said the move is part of ongoing reforms to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of public entities, and reinforce the government's push for stronger public sector governance and supporting the oversight of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). 'In line with the principles of transparency and accountability, the Madani Government has taken a significant step by not only tabling the LKAN in this Honourable House but also allowing it to be openly debated. 'This is a departure from previous administrations that only tabled the report without debate,' she said while tabling the LKAN 2/2025 motion in the Dewan Rakyat today, adding that since June 6, 2023, the report has been debated four times. She said the report, which covers the activities of ministries, departments, statutory bodies and federal government-linked companies, presents audit findings on five programmes, activities, or projects across seven ministries, with a total audited value of RM48.873 billion. Azalina said LKAN 2/2025 highlighted serious irregularities in three of the five audited programmes, potentially undermining their efficiency and intended impact. 'To address these shortcomings and prevent recurrence, the report sets out 22 recommendations for the relevant ministries, departments, agencies and federal government-linked companies to act upon. 'This initiative creates a direct avenue for more members of parliament to play an active role in ensuring government funds are managed prudently in the public interest,' she said. She added that the debate is also intended to provide a platform for discussing concrete steps to address the issues raised, ensuring they are given due attention before effective corrective action is taken. Azalina further noted that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed the need for all responsible ministers to thoroughly review every finding raised in LKAN 2/2025, especially recurrent issues that remain unresolved. — Bernama
