KUALA LUMPUR: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended six improvements for Assistance for the Elderly, or Bantuan Orang Tua (BOT), under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM).
PAC chairman Datuk Seri Hasan Ariffin in a statement today said the recommendations were made after a meeting on Oct 4, 2017, which was attended by former KPWKM secretary general Datuk Dr Rose Lena Lazemi and Social Welfare Department (JKM) director-general Datuk Zulkiply Ramli.
"As the country is heading to an ageing society, there is a need for the ministry to be more proactive in taking care of the people’s welfare.
"Therefore, PAC has suggested that, firstly, the review for extending assistance period needs to be scrutinised to avoid delay for those eligible to receive the aid.
"Secondly, there should be frequent surveys and monitoring at the ground to be carried out by the ministry and the Social Welfare Department (JKM).
"Thirdly, the ministry is encouraged to increase monthly BOT rate in line with the rising cost of living.
"Fourthly, JKM needs to provide special training to Senior Citizen Activity Centre (PAWE) staff in managing and taking care of the elderly with more professionalism.
"Fifthly, the ministry and JKM should ensure that all equipment supplied to PAWE is maintained and not depend on the government’s grant alone.
"Lastly, PAC also called for respective enforcement agencies to provide information regarding investigation into the misuse of PAWE grant."
All the recommendations were based on findings in the Auditor General’s Report 2016 Series 1 that was tabled at the Parliament on July 31, 2017.
Hasan said during the meeting, PAC found that social welfare office in five districts were not in compliance with the JKM director-general directive for BOT payment to be made using bank.
"Payment of BOT using cash involved RM547,200 for November 2016.
"Second, many weaknesses in the distribution of BOT using cash as well as there was payment made to deceased recipients.
"Third, the PAWE expenditure of RM70,988 that not in accordance with the stipulated guidelines.
"Four, there was misuse of PAWE grant by giving RM95,200 in loans to supervisors and NGOs who manage and operate PAWE.
"Five, no application was made for surplus of RM46,733 on the acquisition of PAWE equipment.
"Lastly, new PAWE still not in operation since its establishment in November 2015."
Report by MOHD ANWAR PATHO ROHMAN, MEOR RIDUWAN MEOR AHMAD, HIDIR REDUAN, LUQMAN ARIF ABDUL KARIM AND NOR AIN MOHAMED RADHI