PUTRAJAYA: Departing from tradition, the recent Auditor General's (AG) Report has undergone a transformation, focusing on improved accessibility through enhanced infographics and the Auditor General Dashboard (AGD).
These changes aim to facilitate more accessible information dissemination to the public and lawmakers.
Under the leadership of Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi, who assumed the role of Auditor General (AG) on June 13, substantial efforts have been made to modernise not only the report's presentation but also to strengthen the department by proposing amendments to the Audit Act 1957.
In an interview with FUAD NIZAM, Wan Suraya shared her perspectives as the head of the nation's supreme audit institution.
Proposed amendments to the Audit Act 1957
While the groundwork for proposed amendments to the Audit Act 1957 has commenced, the specifics of these amendments are still in the early stages and await finalisation.
Follow-up Committee on the Auditor General's Report (JSLKAN)
Highlighting the National Audit Department's role in ensuring proper management of public funds and adherence to governance standards, Wan Suraya noted the establishment of the Follow-Up Committee on the Auditor General's Report (JSLKAN).
Renamed from "JTLKAN," this committee, jointly chaired by the auditor general and the Treasury secretary-general, includes central enforcement agencies like the Attorney General's Chambers, police, Public Service Department, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and the Economy Ministry.
"Its implementation is to facilitate transparent information sharing, ensuring prompt and accurate decision-making regarding issues involving wastage, leakages, irregular payments and loss or misuse of public funds (3P1K).
"It is also established to determine necessary actions to be taken by government ministries, departments or agencies and to divise detailed solutions to prevent future occurrences." she said.
Wan Suraya highlighted that JSLKAN also serves as a mechanism for monitoring improvements in work procedures, regulations and amendments of laws.
Due to this, corrective or punitive measures fall under the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies as per their respective legislation.
Role of AG Dashboard
Discussing the transformation of the Auditor General Dashboard (AGD), Wan Suraya emphasised its significance in enabling public access to critical information.
"The AGD serves as an online platform for the latest feedback from audits and displays it to the public.
"It encourages transparency and expedites the resolution of issues at the ministry, department, or agency level.
"The Audit Follow-Up Division monitors actions taken by relevant entities based on AG's recommendations." she said.
The dashboard displays the statistics of issues and uses three main indicators - no action (red), under action (yellow), and resolved (green) - to represent issues concerning waste, overspending, misappropriation, and leakages of public funds.
Good governance and capacity building
Wan Suraya commended the government's commitment, particularly Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's personal attention to discuss and monitor audit issues regularly.
"Currently, the government's commitment (towards this) is commendable, especially considering the personal attention given by the prime minister himself, who desires that all audit issues be discussed, monitored, and regularly informed to him," she said.
Regarding good governance, she emphasised the department's role in imparting awareness and training on fund management to federal and state government officials through the National Audit Academy in Bandar Enstek, Negri Sembilan.
"We are not merely auditing, we are also providing awareness and training to federal government officials as well state governments officials.
"Collaborating with the Finance Ministry, multiple courses are underway to disseminate this crucial knowledge." she said.
Wan Suraya expressed hope for increased interest among younger generations in the auditing profession and pointed out its potential to significantly contribute to the nation's prosperity.
She urged them to consider auditing as a commendable profession with substantial opportunities for national contribution.
"To me, it is a commendable profession, with substantial opportunities for national contribution." she said.