RM67.6 MILLION on a single youth event - who is responsible for such extravagance?

The revelations that came with the recent release of the 2012 Auditor General’s Report has come as no surprise to the Malaysian people, who are increasingly cynical of the UMNO-BN Government’s seriousness in combating corruption and bringing in more accountability.

This has become an annual occurrence, which generates a lot of hot air and rhetoric from the upper echelons of the executive and ultimately no action will ever be taken while the same mistakes are made over and over again.

Our position is that no amount of check and balances, or thrice a year audits will fix the problem, what is needed is a clear political will on the part of the Government to enforce those checks and balances. Unfortunately time and again, the Government has failed this crucial litmus test on accountability.

Can Khairy assure under him, there won't be questionable expenses?

I would like to laud the Youth and Sports Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, for his stand on this issue and his willingness to take on the responsibility on the behalf of his Ministry, even if the questionable expenses were incurred during the tenure of his predecessor.

I would like to know if the Honourable Minister is ready to assure the Malaysian public, that his Ministry will no longer be caught incurring questionable transactions for the 2013 Audit which will be released in 2014. Especially so in the periods after May 2013, when he was appointed Minister.

RM67.61 million a huge sum

The wisdom of spending RM 67.61 million of taxpayers’ money on a single event such as the Hari Belia Negara 2012 is indeed questionable, when its long-term positive impact on Malaysian youth is at best questionable. How much of that money actually directly impacts the Malaysian youth it is purported to benefit, and how much in reality goes to the event management company that organised the event.

The reality is that RM 67.61 million can be better used for the long term betterment and benefits of young people in Malaysia. The money can be spent on sports facilities, self empowerment and betterment programs and other similarly impactful initiatives which have the potential to leave a lasting legacy amongst the youth.

While the Auditor General’s Report may cast a light on wastefulness and systemic failures, it is also a good opportunity for the Government to reflect upon its policy choices and its impact on ordinary Malaysians.

Nik Nazmi is the Deputy Speaker and state assemblyman for Seri Setia, Selangor