Auditor-General: Malaysia Experienced Losses of RM158.08 MILLION in 2021

It’s no secret that our authorities haven’t actually given us a reason to trust them when it comes to managing the country’s finances.

And here’s another reason why.

The Auditor-General, Datuk Seri Nik Azman Nik Abdul Majid, recently released his 2021 report that stated that Malaysia wasted and experienced losses of an insane RM158.08 million in funds that year.

He wrote, “Non-compliance with financial management has caused issues of loss of public money, irregular payments and wastage amounting to RM158.08 million.”

Here’s a breakdown of how a total of RM116.95 million had been lost:

• Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM): Residency and vehicle ownership conditions were not complied with, amounting to a loss of RM72.17 million.
• JKDM: Inaccurate excise duty calculations amounting to RM0.15 million.
• Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFI): Social obligation fund in 2021 amounting to RM37 million yet to be accepted.
• Ministry of Communications and Digital (K-KOMM): Digital Content Fund Project (DKD) from 2017 to 2019 amounting to RM4 million failed to be completed.
• Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM): Fines not imposed amounting to RM1.28 million.
• Prime Minister’s Department of Malaysia (JPM): Uncollected quarter rent amounting to RM1.16 million.
• JPM: Quarter rental collection amounting to RM0.40 million is not in line with resident position grade.
• JPM: Penalty not imposed amounting to RM0.15 million.

Here’s a breakdown of a total of RM26.03 million had gone through irregular payments:

• PDRM: Non-contractual payments amounting to RM17.76 million.
• K-KOMM: Distribution of DKD amounting to RM4 million to companies that have an interest with a member of the Corporation or Committee.
• K-KOMM: DKD amounting to RM3.25 million was paid before the previous project had finished.
• K-KOMM: Irregular payment and sale of broadcasting rights without approval amounting to RM0.06 million.
• MAFI: Paddy Price Subsidy Scheme payment amounting to RM0.73 million to rice farmers who have died.
• Ministry of Defence Malaysia (MINDEF): Work Change Instruction payment amounting to RM0.23 million was made prior to the approval of the Work Change Approval Committee.

Here’s a breakdown of how RM15.10 million was wasted: 

• Road Transport Department (JPJ): Unused Driving License Cards worth RM14.23 million.
• MAFI: Unused and damaged machinery worth RM0.87 million.

What do you think our authorities can do to improve their financial management? Do feel free to share your suggestions in the comment section.

Also read: Ismail Sabri Spent a Whopping RM62 MILLION on Keluarga Malaysia Rebranding