TI-M: Conduct audit on 'unsatisfactory' scanner performance

Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) has urged the Customs Department to conduct a post-acquisition audit (PAA) following a revelation that newly bought cargo scanners did not perform on par with expectations after a month-long test run.

Its president Muhammad Mohan said it is important for the government to explain how it will rectify the scanner quality issue.

Giving the supplier the benefit of a doubt, he said it is understandable that there might be some “ups and downs” when new equipment is installed and fine-tuning may also be needed before it can officially be used.

“We need to know what the situation is. It is already December and the installation was done in September, so we need the latest information from the authorities,” Muhammad (above) told Malaysiakini.

Last week, Malaysiakini reported that an internal review from the Customs Department revealed that the performance of the new scanners was "unsatisfactory” and recorded only 53 percent of operational availability.

However, PTS Resources Sdn Bhd, the supplier of 13 of the scanners in Peninsular Malaysia, claimed “there is no issue of low-performance scanners” in its procurement contract.

The company also clarified that the the issues detected in a review were merely a “preliminary observation which has been totally resolved”.

Referring to the company's explanation, Muhammad suggested that the relevant authorities, such as the Finance Ministry and Customs Department, conduct a PAA on the matter.

“To be fair to the supplier, the fine-tuning issue can happen but it is best to do a PAA. The Customs Department has its own audit and people from the Finance Ministry should give it a check too.

“At least the truth will come out on whether the machines are working or not (after the audit),” he said.

Audit common practice

Muhammad said that it is a common practice in the private sector to audit their purchase after three to 12 months in order to make sure the new system or equipment is working well. 

He also urged the government to disclose the audit report to the public to show the government's determination in upholding administration transparency.

“This would bring a positive perception of the government, showing that it is serious about this issue.

“Immediate response and transparency from the authorities are what we want in this country,” he added.

Malaysiakini has contacted and is still awaiting responses from the Finance Ministry and Customs Department.

Previously, in the two internal reports from the Customs Department sighted by Malaysiakini, despite the "unsatisfactory" scanners, the installation process was still ongoing, and some of the machines have secured approval from the government.

Based on the downtime data in the reports, the ability to scan is about 53 percent, which is much lower than the "95 percent operational availability" requirement stated in the tender document.

 - Mkini