KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — The Defence Ministry (Mindef) has proved it is bad at balancing its books as a federal audit has found it overspent its budget by RM23.63 million between 2008 and 2010.
The Auditor-General’s Report, released yesterday, noted the ministry was allocated a budget of RM113.1 million during the two years in question but spent RM148.73 million within the same period instead.
The audit check between May and August last year found Mindef had a dismal record of managing its territorial army regiments, better known in Malay as “
askar wataniah”.
Among the laundry list of weaknesses were the poor upkeep of attendance records during training – the audit reported only 2.7 per cent to 38.1 per cent attended practice between 2008 and 2010 – and the breaching of Treasury rules and regulations over payment by its management team.
It also found the ministry to have skewed priorities in spending.
The audit noted the armed forces had limited financial funds as well as limited and aged facilities that were in need of repair, including mouldy barracks used to house the reserve units during training.
In contrast, the ministry made improper payments that led to the government dishing out an allowance to soldiers who skipped training while failing to pay those who actually attended.
The report said more than 60 per cent of those registered in the army reserve failed to show up for scheduled training, while 49 members who attended camp between 2008 and 2010 were not paid because their names were omitted.
Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang said in his report that action can be taken against military officers who allowed the wrongful payments to go through under Treasury laws.
The audit said the territorial army totalled 56,434 members as of December 31 last year.
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askar wataniah”.
Among the laundry list of weaknesses were the poor upkeep of attendance records during training – the audit reported only 2.7 per cent to 38.1 per cent attended practice between 2008 and 2010 – and the breaching of Treasury rules and regulations over payment by its management team.
It also found the ministry to have skewed priorities in spending.
The audit noted the armed forces had limited financial funds as well as limited and aged facilities that were in need of repair, including mouldy barracks used to house the reserve units during training.
In contrast, the ministry made improper payments that led to the government dishing out an allowance to soldiers who skipped training while failing to pay those who actually attended.
The report said more than 60 per cent of those registered in the army reserve failed to show up for scheduled training, while 49 members who attended camp between 2008 and 2010 were not paid because their names were omitted.
Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang said in his report that action can be taken against military officers who allowed the wrongful payments to go through under Treasury laws.
The audit said the territorial army totalled 56,434 members as of December 31 last year.
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