Discuss LKAN as proof that the government is serious about fighting the issue of fraud, leakage and weakness, said Azalina

KUALA LUMPUR: The Auditor General’s Report 2/2024 which was presented last week was debated in the Dewan Rakyat starting today.

Berita Harian reported that it was to open up space for 52 members of Parliament from the government and opposition blocs, to discuss and make remarks and suggestions for improvement to the matters touched upon and raised from the report issued by the National Audit Department.

The debate is also in line with the commitment of Dewan Rakyat members as well as the government’s efforts last week to approve the amendment of the Audit Act 1957 (Act 62), which has not been amended for the past 33 years or the last time the amendment was made in 1991.

The amendment approved last week, among other things, expands the duties and powers that allow the Auditor-General to inspect, investigate and audit the accounts of any other body, including companies registered under the Companies Act 2016 (Act 777), which receive financial guarantees from the Federal or state governments.

Earlier, the LKAN proposal was presented by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Legislation and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, before being supported by his deputy, M Kulasegaran.

Azalina when presenting the motion said, the debate allows for the attention and in-depth observation of all parties to be given to support the government’s desire to create better public sector governance in addition to scrutiny under the National Accounts Committee (PAC).

He said that the debate in Parliament will have a positive effect, including a clear signal to all administrators of public funds, including those appointed to manage statutory bodies, public authorities and government companies.

“This House is serious in fighting fraud, leaks and weaknesses in governance that can lead to leakages that harm the government.

“(The debate will also) be a trigger factor for relevant parties to take appropriate action and further speed up the resolution of issues raised by LKAN,” he said.

He said, this debate session is also able to foster a culture of responsibility and transparency in all aspects of public administration in line with the efforts to transform the Dewan Rakyat which acts as a check and balance to the executive power.

“The Prime Minister emphasized that all responsible ministers in accordance with the Federal Government Ministerial Order that is currently in force must examine every remark raised by the Auditor General in the LKAN 2024, especially regarding recurring matters that are still occurring and be dealt with thoroughly by the responsible party,” he said. .

The LKAN debate session in the Dewan Rakyat was first held by the government in June last year.