As expected, Auditor gives rosy review of govt agencies ahead of GE13

KUALA LUMPUR - The financial management of government agencies for 2011 recorded a better performance compared with 2010, said Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang.

He said of all the government agencies that were evaluated, 111 agencies or 31.4 per cent of them were rated 'very good' (four stars), compared with 77 agencies (21.6 per cent) in 2010 and 48 agencies (12 per cent) in 2009.

"This remarkable achievement shows implementation of the accountability index has motivated the Controlling Officers to take measures towards improving their financial management," he said in a statement issued here today.

Remarkable achievement

The 2011 Auditor-General's Report will be distributed to parliamentary members at today's Dewan Rakyat sitting.

Ambrin said the National Audit Department had implemented the rating system, which was based on the Accountability Index in 2007 to gauge the extent of compliance by government deparments and agencies to laws and regulations.

Ambrin said that based on the audit on 456 financial statements for 2011, 388 of them were given the Audit Certificate Without Reprimand.

The other 25 financial statements were issued the Audit Certificate With Reprimand because they did not meet the stipulated accounting standards, and the remaining 25 financial statements were still in the process of auditing, he added.

He said this was better than in 2010 where only 368 financial statements were given the Audit Certificate Without Reprimand while 33 financial statements were given the Audit Certificate With Reprimand.

Revenue also increased

Ambrin said the government's revenue collection also showed an increase of RM25.77 billion last year with a total collection of RM185.42 billion from RM159.65 billion in 2010.

"The increase in the world price of crude oil, strong domestic economic growth, as well as continuous enforcement activities by the Malaysian Inland Revenue Board and the Customs Department contributed to the increasing revenue," he added.

- BERNAMA