THE National Film Development Corporation (Finas) has two pending projects costing RM2.4 million since 2012 and 2013 which has yet to be completed, the 2017 Auditor General’s Report said. 

The audit noted that these projects were not completed and could not be audited fully. 

Three projects under National Culture and Arts Department (JKKN) which cost RM3.61 million also did not meet targets, it said.

Four agencies under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry have also failed to spend RM7.59 million. 

The agencies are Finas, National Visual Arts Development Board, Kraftangan and the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (Aswara).

The report also highlighted irregularities, such as fines for projects under JKKN, which were not paid despite the projects late completion and costing the government RM400,000.

Seven projects under Kraftangan costing RM250,000 were awarded directly and did not follow proper procedures as any project more than RM50,000 must go through open tender. 

The auditor general recommends that KKMM and its agencies should scrutinise the grants given out and keep tabs on the progression of the projects. 

“KKMM must fund the allocation or grants for programmes and projects which have been identified and make sure the related agencies should return the balance of the allocation or grants,” the report said. 

It also recommended that KKMM pay for the projects only if “the companies fulfilled the obligations” in the initial contracts. – August 6, 2018.