No reason to audit klia2, 1MDB, says A-G

Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang says he has no reason to probe Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd over the construction of klia2. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, November 29, 2014.

The Auditor-General (A-G) said today he had no reason to investigate Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB), over the construction of the RM4 billion low-cast-carrier terminal klia2, as well as the scandal-ridden 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) as these firms have been audited by big international firms.

Tan Sri Ambrin Buang told a forum on government accountability in Kuala Lumpur today that the firms were already audited by "one of the big four" auditing companies.

"At the moment, we aren't touching public-listed companies. MAHB is a public-listed company.

"Their accounts are being audited by the big four. There is no reason for us to audit their accounts. It is already being done," said the A-G to a question from the audience on the issue.

He added that the government needed to give his department the green light first for it to scrutinise MAHB's accounts.

"We have to have discussions. I cannot go in without proper authority," he said.

But he added that his department reviewed from time to time the list of companies they investigated, adding that they would begin with any firm the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recommended.

Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang says 1MDB is already being audited by the big four. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Zhafri Azmi, November 29, 2014.On 1MDB, he said the state sovereign funds had already given clarification on its investment and business strategies.

"What do you want us to do? As far as their accounts are concerned they have already been audited by the big four," he said.

Ambrin added that 1MDB had already filed its accounts with the Companies Commission of Malaysia, which had not raised any objections.

- TMI