Liputan Media Terhadap Aktiviti Badan Berkanun Persekutuan

Liputan Media Terhadap
Aktiviti Badan Berkanun
Persekutuan
Jabatan Audit Negara
LaporanMedia
MediaBerkaitan
BerkaitanLKAN
LKAN 2008
2008
Liputan
Thursday October 22, 2009
Pengurusan Perolehan Peralatan Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi Mara, Balik Pulau, Pulau Pinang - Majlis Amanah
Rakyat
RM42,320 For A Laptop
By YENG AI CHUN
KUALA LUMPUR: Who in their right mind would pay RM42,320 for a laptop? Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi
Mara Balik Pulau in Penang not only paid the price but bought two units of the same brand – Acer
Aspire-5052ANWXMI, at a whopping price of RM84,640, said the Auditor-General’s Report. In
addition, the college purchased 450 units of computer CAD with network card at RM3.45mil for 12
labs. Each 19-inch monitor costs RM8,500 while a 17-inch monitor costs RM7,500. “A check with local
companies showed that the market price for the latest model is between RM5,350 to RM6,500 each.
Worse still the computers, Precision 390 Dell, that were supplied are no longer in the market,” it said.
Also purchased were 15 laser printers, Hewlet Packard P3005X, at the price of RM7,722 each when
the market price was about RM5,000 per unit. In reply, Mara said the equipment were purchased in a
lump sump and there was no price breakdown for the laptops. The price breakdown was only done
after the equipment was supplied for the purpose assets record and it could not be used as a basis
for reference. “Nevertheless, Mara has created a task force and is conducting a price adjustment for
all the equipment,” it said. The report also stated that the college had paid between RM1,398 and
RM2,945 for 204 teaching manuals. “Checks found that the teaching manuals supplied were bound
using comb binding. The teaching manuals obtained at a cost of RM358,476 is a waste because they
were never used,” it said, adding that the supplier has been notified to provide the original version
of the teaching manual in hard cover. Mara also spent RM2.08mil buying computer software it didn’t
need.
Audits also found many discrepancies in prices paid for the same equipment, including the same
LCD projectors that costs RM3,500 and RM8,000 for two different laboratories. “Swivel stools were
also purchased at three different prices – RM340, RM350 and RM450 per unit and they did not
even meet the agreed specifications in the agreement. “Other swivel chairs were bought for between
RM810 to RM1,050 per unit when the college had bought the same chair previously at RM336 per
unit,” it said. The report also stated that the German-Malaysian Institute which was picked as the
consultant, had proposed a ceiling price of RM84.5mil for the purchase of equipment for the college
while the Economic Planing Unit (EPU) fixed the price at RM127.65mil. “The reason for the higher
price was to speed up the process of obtaining the supplies. In the end the agreed contract was
fixed at RM112.42mil. Mara had submitted a letter to the Finance Ministry to say that the figure was
reasonable. “Audit found that the agreed price for the purchase of equipment is not reasonable. This
is because the approach taken by Mara did not fufill the criteria set by the Finance Ministry, which is
to negotiate for the lowest price possible.
Jabatan Audit Negara
95
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LKAN2008
2008
Sunday October 25, 2009
Pengurusan Perolehan Peralatan Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi Mara, Balik Pulau, Pulau Pinang - Majlis Amanah
Rakyat
Cases Of Mismanagement
AS in previous years, the AG’s Report for 2008 has identified various instances of mismanagement of
public funds. This time around, among the cases that were highlighted was Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi
Mara Balik Pulau in Penang (under the Human Resources Ministry), which paid RM84,640 for two
laptops. The college bought another 450 computer units totalling up to RM3.45mil, with 19-inch
monitors at RM8,500 each and 17-inch monitors at RM7,500 each.
Mara has explained that the equipment were purchased in a lump sump, with no price breakdown.
The report also revealed that the Miri Industrial Training Institute (ILP) bought a pole platform costing
RM30,000 while two other institutions paid a little more than RM1,000 for it. It remains to be seen what
action will be taken against those involved in these cases.
Following are more cases of mismanagement highlighted in the AG’s reports over the years.
Oct 2007 - The Youth and Sports Ministry came under fire when the Auditor-General’s Report 2006
revealed that it had overspent RM8.39mil for its National Youth Skills Institutes (IKBN). Five people
were arrested including one ministry director and a supplier. The four were charged under Section
11(c) of the Anti-Corruption Act while the fifth person was charged with criminal breach of trust.
Another four in Kota Baru, Kelantan, claimed trial in connection with the overpriced goods in setting
up the IKBN in Bachok. Three people were charged with the purchase of “overpriced” digital cameras
for the IKBN in Chembong, Negri Sembilan.
Oct 2007 - Five personnel from Sabah were charged with 62 counts of corruption involving welfare
payments to people who were dead. Another welfare officer in Raub, Pahang was charged with 22
similar offences.
Oct 2008 - After investing RM537.04mil in the US-based Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation
(CAMC), the Government only managed to recoup RM25mil, losing over RM500mil.
Oct 2009 - The Government lost an estimated RM1.14bil in its Ipoh-Rawang double track railway
project when it was taken over by a new contractor after the original one failed to complete it.
Oct 2009 - Some RM418,145 of welfare aid was doled out to 184 undocumented people in Perlis, out
of which 26 are confirmed dead.
Jabatan Audit Negara
96
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2008
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20 Oktober 2009 (Selasa)
Pengurusan Projek Pembinaan Kampus - Universiti Teknologi Mara
Kompleks Sukan UiTM KK Retak
KUALA LUMPUR 20 Okt. - Kompleks Sukan
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Kota Kinabalu
(KK) yang dibina pada tahun 1970 dikesan
dibangunkan menggunakan pasir laut dalam
campuran konkritnya. Akibat campuran itu,
menurut Laporan Ketua Audit Negara Tahun
2008, bangunan itu terjejas kerana besi tetulang
strukturnya berkarat. ‘’Pembinaan kompleks sukan
menggunakan pasir laut telah menyebabkan
keretakan ketara pada strukturnya, penggunaan
pasir laut dalam campuran konkrit telah
menyebabkan besi berkarat dan mereput kerana
mengandungi klorida dan sulfat yang tinggi.
‘’Apabila lapisan luar besi berkarat dan mereput,
ketebalan dan kekuatan besi akan berkurangan,’’
katanya.
Bahagian siling aras tanah
mengalami keretakan yang serius.
Laporan berkenaan telah diedarkan di Parlimen mulai semalam. Pihak audit mendapati bangunan
berkenaan masih digunakan untuk pusat pentadbiran, bilik kuliah, bilik pensyarah dan penempatan
Unit Pembangunan dan Fasiliti UiTM Sabah kerana tiada bangunan lain sebagai gantian. ‘’Berdasarkan
laporan perunding pada tahun 1998, bangunan ini selamat untuk digunakan pada masa tersebut
dengan syarat penyenggaraan rapi yang berterusan dijalankan. ‘’Memandangkan pemeriksaan
bangunan ini dibuat melebihi 10 tahun, adalah disyorkan UiTM melantik perunding bagi menjalankan
pemeriksaan semula terhadap ketahanan struktur bangunan dan keselamatan menduduki bangunan
ini,’’ katanya.
Jelas laporan itu, UiTM Sabah telah membelanjakan sejumlah RM1.2 juta pada tahun 2002 dan
RM185,196 pada tahun lepas bagi tujuan penyenggaraan dan pembaikan bangunan berkenaan.
Namun, akibat penggunaan bahan binaan yang tidak berkualiti, keretakan baru masih berlaku.
Jabatan Audit Negara
97
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Liputan Media Berkaitan
Berkaitan LKAN
LKAN2008
2008
Wednesday October 21, 2009
Pengurusan Aktiviti Pelaburan Dalam Syarikat Subsidi - Lembaga Penggalakan Pelancongan Malaysia
Tourism Board Making Losses
Reports by ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN, SIRA HABIBU, TAN SIN CHOW, MANJIT KAUR, and LESTER
KONG
THE Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board has not turned in a single ringgit of profit despite making
investments of RM41.9mil since its inception in January 1976. The Auditor-General’s Report revealed
that the ministry’s subsidiary Pembangunan Pelancongan Nasional Sdn Bhd (Pempena) had not
done due diligence before making its investments. The report also found that seven subsidiary
and 17 associated companies under Pempena suffered cumulative losses of RM32.37mil until Dec
31 last year. Six of the seven companies recorded a RM3.74mil loss in 2007. Only one company,
Malaysian Travel Business Sdn
Bhd, made a profit of RM438,240
in 2007 after taxes. According to
the report, Pempena would record
RM40.03mil in overall losses
from its investments and initial
capital outlay of RM52.86mil for
the 24 entities. “Pempena has
made investments in subsidiary
companies that are not viable
because it has not done due
diligence as a whole before making
the investments,” the report said.
It
added
that
Pempena’s
investments in its seven subsidiary
companies and 17 associated
companies were not presented
and discussed with the board
prior to approval. “Pempena
only informed the board after
the investments were made,” it
said. The board in reply said it
would report to the Finance or
Tourism Ministry to withdraw the
Government’s investments from
subsidiaries that failed to declare
dividends for three consecutive
years. The report also found that
the board neglected to set up a
committee responsible for valuing
and monitoring its investments in
the companies. In its response,
the board said it would form
investment committees on “project
basis” if its subsidiaries decided to
Jabatan Audit Negara
98
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make new investments. “The audit also found that the board did not have any long-term and shortterm strategic plans for the entire organisation,” it said.
In reply, the Board said it held a Strategic Planning and Direction workshop from Oct 16 to 18 as per
the recommendations of the Auditor-General. In response to the Auditor-General’s Report, Tourism
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said yesterday that the ministry had a special committee looking
into the losses incurred by the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board, She said the ministry was aware
of all the issues, and was almost at the end to its investigation into the losses.
Monday October 26, 2009
Pengurusan Aktiviti Pelaburan Dalam Syarikat Subsidi - Lembaga Penggalakan Pelancongan Malaysia
Tourism Ministry Must Explain Losses
I REFER to the Auditor-General’s report in your article “Tourism Board making losses,” (The Star, Oct
21.) The Tourism Promotion Board’s losses amounting to RM41.9mil since 1976 through its investment
arm Pempena smacks of inefficiency and poor planning in its promotional programmes. The Tourism
Ministry should do due diligence and explain to taxpayers why they incurred such heavy losses and
have not declared dividends for the last three years. Complacency seems to have crept into the
system and is slowly eroding the fundamental trust the public have in it. Recently I was invited by a
university celebrating World Tourism Day to a function where the ministry’s director-general was the
main guest.
After his speech, we viewed a video which grossly undermined what he was trying to promote. I
was disappointed by the poor quality of the “Malaysia, Truly Asia” video. It showed a couple of boys
playing along the beach during sunset, some Sarawakian dances and girls dancing in the darkness
(perhaps it is an old copy) and massacred the beautiful Twin Towers (which were completely dark). I
don’t think foreigners will be convinced by this video. There was nothing beautiful about Malaysia in
it. Where were the beautiful Twin Towers, the skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur, the sprawling Putrajaya,
the mosque and the many towering buildings with such magnificent architecture, Genting Highlands
and Sunway Resort etc? I often come across foreigners who express their ignorance of such places.
It’s time to revamp the whole presentation, review the video and come out with newer versions every
year. Spend the money with wisdom to promote Malaysia, truly Asia.
Jabatan Audit Negara
99
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Liputan Media Berkaitan
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LKAN2008
2008
Tuesday October 20,
2009
Pengurusan Aktiviti Penguatkuasaan - Kumpulan
Pekerja
Wang Simpanan
9,000 Bosses Default On EPF Contributions
MORE than 9,000 employers are getting away with not contributing
to their workers’ Employees Provident Fund (EPF). The AuditorGeneral’s Report 2008 found that the number was due to a low
number of EPF inspectors compared to employers, with one inspector
having to conduct checks on up to 1,283 employers. Until December
last year, 450,605 employers have been registered with the fund
with 9,223 failing to contribute. The report found that inspectors
had the heaviest workload in Kota Kinabalu, Ipoh and Muar. Kota
Kinabalu had only 12 inspectors looking after 15,396 employers with
a ratio of 1,283. Ipoh had 17 looking after 18,552 (1,091) while Muar
had seven inspectors checking on 6,776 employers (968). “The
audit finds that on average each inspector at the branch level was
checking between 643 and 1,380 employers. Also, the workload at
each branch was different,” the report said.
It said the fund had to study the ratio of inspectors to employers to
improve its enforcement and rate of solving cases against employers,
delivering of summons, court cases and ensure that employers
contribute to the fund. In reply, EPF said the ratio was based on factors
such as the number of new cases against defaulting employers,
geography location affecting the amount of time spent on travelling
by an inspector and the complexity of the cases. On complaints
filed against non-conforming employers, the report found that 2,986
cases registered last year had not been resolved compared to 2,201
in 2007. It also reported that despite an enforcement circular stating
that non-conformity cases had to be resolved in not more than 30
days, including investigations and assessments, only 30.6% out of
111 test cases were acted upon.
“As many as 42 cases remain unresolved, including 26 that have
been open for six months, since the original complaints were filed.
“The report recommended that the fund take action to resolve
complaints against non-conforming employers or it would have to
bear the arrears in contributions should the company be declared
bankrupt,” it said.
Jabatan Audit Negara
100
LaporanMedia
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BerkaitanLKAN
LKAN 2008
2008
Liputan
Thursday October 22, 2009
Pengurusan Aktiviti Penguatkuasaan - Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja
EPF: Almost 9,000 Errant Bosses Dealt With
ACTION has been taken on nearly all the 9,000 employers who defaulted in contributing to the
Employees Provident Fund (EPF). EPF public relations general manager Nik Affendi Jaafar said the
figure of 9,000 employers that was stated in the Auditor-General’s report on Monday was accumulated
over the years. The report attributed the high number of defaulting employers to the shortage of EPF
staff with one inspector having to conduct checks on more than 1,200 employers.
Nik Affendi said EPF had successfully reduced the number of defaulters over the years by employing
more stringent enforcement and improving its IT system. He stated that enforcement actions were
focused on employers with large numbers of employees and those with high amount of contributions.
“As of last month, the number of defaulting employers dropped to 1.7% compared to 2.05% in
December 2008. This is a significant improvement compared to 2000 when the percentage stood
at 5.65%. “Based on this performance, we believe that the number of our inspectors at present is
sufficient and optimal,” he said.
In some cases, he added, the EPF did not take action because there were insufficient supporting
documents or the company had closed down before the complaint was made.
Jabatan Audit Negara
101