PAC urges expediting appointment of auditor-general


The Public Accounts Committee has called on the government to appoint an auditor-general as soon as possible. Its chairman Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (pictured) says important reports cannot be submitted to the Agong as a result of the post being left vacant since February. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, June 8, 2023.

THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called on the government to appoint an auditor-general as soon as possible, stressing that former secretaries-general (KSU) should not be chosen.

PAC chairman Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said as the crucial post had been left vacant, it resulted in the Yang di-Pertuan Agong not receiving the Auditor-General’s Report (LKAN) on the federal government’s financial statements for 2022 and the report on federal agencies for 2021.

“Only the auditor-general can submit his report to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who would then give his consent for it to be tabled at Dewan Rakyat in line with Article 107(1) of the Federal Constitution,” she told a media conference at the lobby of Parliament building today.  

Mas Ermieyati said the government needs to stop the practice of appointing the auditor-general from among former secretaries-general and should instead appoint an individual with a professional background in accounting and auditing. 

She said the move would add value to the National Audit Department in implementing auditing professionally.

“The appointment of former KSU as auditor-general should be avoided even though the justification for the appointment of KSU is because they know about the ins and outs of public administration,” she said. 

She also called on the government to re-examine the inadequate financial allocation to the National Audit Department. 

“This matter hinders the work carried out by the National Audit Department coupled with parliament’s move to debate the LKAN proposal. Therefore, I hope the government will examine this matter so that the auditing process can be improved,” she said. 

The position of auditor-general has not been filled since Nik Azman Abdul Majid completed his service in February. – Bernama, June 8, 2023.  


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