‘Sick’ govt projects dominate Parliament debate on AG’s report

• Sandakan MP Vivian Wong Shir Yee stressed that recurring weaknesses in government project implementation demanded stronger punitive action against those responsible.

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 7): Sick government projects, especially in the construction of schools and public housing, were among the main issues highlighted during debate on the Auditor-General’s Report (LKAN) 3/2025 in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.

Sandakan MP Vivian Wong Shir Yee stressed that recurring weaknesses in government project implementation demanded stronger punitive action against those responsible.

She said as of Dec 31, 2024, a total of 157 delayed projects were reported involving 18 ministries, including the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW), the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (Petra), and the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT).

“The public is beginning to question the effectiveness of audit reports in bringing about real change. The government should present year-by-year comparisons since 2015 to assess whether the number of delayed projects has increased or decreased, as well as evaluate the effectiveness of corrective actions,” she said during the debate.

Wong also highlighted the delayed construction of a forward operating base in Pulau Mabul, Sabah under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), which was approved nearly a decade ago but remains incomplete and now requires an additional RM28.7 million in costs.

Temerloh MP Salamiah Mohd Nor (PN) referred to delays in projects under KKDW, noting that the Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra) had failed to pay over RM12 million in dividends to more than 10,000 settlers, in addition to 3,000 abandoned public housing units worth RM450 million under KPKT.

In the education sector, she said RM200 million allocated for rural schools had not been distributed efficiently, causing delays of up to nine months and leaving over 150 schools without adequate facilities.

Separately, Tampin MP Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN) called on the government to expedite the implementation of the e-Baki Vehicle Registration Number online system, citing audit findings that showed 375,762 inactive vehicle registration numbers remained unsold since 2024.

“Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest number at 98,910, followed by Johor (49,851) and Putrajaya (45,467). I believe this figure will continue to rise, potentially resulting in government losses of at least RM112.73 million if the numbers were sold at the minimum price of RM300 each,” he said.

A total of 23 MPs from both the government and opposition blocs took part in the debate, while winding-up sessions by the respective ministries are scheduled for on Wednesday.

Earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the tabling of the LKAN aimed to ensure that key financial oversight mechanisms function effectively and that public funds are managed transparently.

She said this accountability effort was strengthened through amendments to the Audit Act 1957 (Act 62) in 2024, the first in 33 years, marking a new chapter for the National Audit Department as an independent audit institution.

“Through debate and scrutiny, we can identify weaknesses, understand feedback, and improve systems. The fact that space is given for debate shows that the Madani government is not afraid of criticism, but instead embraces constructive views to make continuous improvements,” she said.

Azalina noted that this marked the sixth time the Auditor-General’s Report had been tabled and debated in the Dewan Rakyat, reflecting a positive trend of transparency and accountability fostered through active parliamentary discussions.

The Dewan Rakyat will reconvene on Wednesday.

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