Need for transparency in state's public spending - Sarawak DAP

The recent findings by the Sarawak Public Accounts Committee (PAC) regarding weaknesses in the management and implementation of state government projects underscore the critical need for accountability and transparency in public spending.

“However, the absence of opposition assemblyperson in the Sarawak PAC raises concerns about the effectiveness of oversight and scrutiny,” Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen’s special officer Michael Kong told Malaysiakini today.

The Sarawak DAP chapter serves the state as an opposition front, unlike in the federal government where the party is a member of the ruling coalition.

“Unlike its parliamentary counterpart, which operates on a bipartisan structure where we see representatives from both the government and opposition being involved, the current composition of the Sarawak PAC lacks opposition representation, and this hinders its ability to provide robust checks and balances.”

Kong (above) said this when contacted after local media Dayak Daily reported that the state’s PAC audit found weaknesses in the management and implementation of state government projects.

The report, without disclosing the specific weakness found, quoted Sarawak PAC chairperson Razali Gapor as saying in a statement that there is a need for some agencies to conduct reviews either from an administrative, financial, or operational procedure point of view.

According to the statement: “The committee also decided to physically visit a particular project to find out more about the problems and weaknesses concerning the project and at the same time, monitor the steps that have been implemented to overcome such problems.”

Razali also said the committee decided to examine all the issues raised following the presentation of the Auditor-General’s Report for the Year 2021(Series 2) in the last Sarawak legislative assembly sitting in November last year.

Reform Sarawak PAC

According to Kong: “The significance of an accountable PAC system is underscored by recent revelations in the Parliament, such as the Covid-19 ventilator scandal which exposed a breach of procurement protocols while finding that 104 out of the 136 ventilators ordered were unusable.

“Additionally, the mishandling of the RM9 billion littoral combat ships (LCS) the project exemplifies the dire need for oversight, as RM6.083 billion for the project even when not one ship has been completed.”

In light of these developments, he said the Sarawak government must consider reforms to the current Sarawak PAC structure.

“Introducing a bipartisan approach that includes opposition members in the committee would enhance transparency and accountability in public expenditure.

“Furthermore, appointing a member of the opposition to chair the Sarawak PAC would ensure impartial leadership and strengthen the committee’s ability to fulfil its oversight mandate effectively,” Kong added.

When asked if introducing a bipartisan approach that includes opposition members in the committee would be acceptable and if it is part of the democratic process, he said: “If we see the federal Parliament's PAC, we have seen opposition MPs being appointed as members for the last 20 years.

“Notable past members of the PAC during BN's administration include DAP's Tony Pua and Seng Giaw Tan.

“In the past, the Parliament's PAC had always been headed by an MP from the ruling coalition but this changed in 2018 after Pakatan Harapan came into power when we saw BN's Noraini Ahmad being appointed as chairperson. Currently, we have Perikatan Nasional's Mas Ermieyati Samsudin as the chairperson.

“The chairperson's role is vital because they guide the PAC's work, ensuring transparency, and holding the government accountable for its financial decisions and actions.

“That is why we want opposition assemblypersons to be included in the Sarawak PAC but not only that, reform the system and have the Sarawak PAC chaired by an opposition assemblyperson,” he added.

The Sarawak PAC comprises a seven-member all-GPS team headed by Beting Maro assemblyperson Razali, Lo Khere Chiang (Batu Kitang), Mohd Chee Kadir (Kabong), GPS-friendly See Chee How (Batu Lintang), Wilson Nyabong (Pelagus), Miro Simuh (Serembu) and Rolland Duat (Meluan). - Mkini