KUALA LUMPUR: The Auditor-General (A-G) will be given greater powers to oversee the use of public funds following proposed amendments to the Audit Act.

The Audit (Amendment) Bill 2024 was tabled for its first reading in Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (June 27), aiming to improve governance and accountability in the public sector.

Among the significant amendments was the inclusion of a new Section 9a, which empowered the A-G to carry out a follow-up audit to review actions taken by respective state and federal authorities and bodies regarding the implementation of recommendations.

The A-G could present the follow-up audit report to the King at any time, with copies of the report submitted to the respective heads of state.

Also significant was the amendment to Section 5, which expanded the powers of the Auditor-General to audit any accounts of other bodies, including companies that had received federal and state financial guarantees.

This included probing any bodies or companies that had received public funds if the Finance Minister was satisfied that a probe should be carried out in the public interest.

The amendment followed the approach of "Follow The Public Money Audit," allowing the Auditor-General to track the whereabouts of public funds.

Also to be amended was Section 9(2), which empowers the Auditor-General to make any recommendations to address serious irregularities regarding accounts involving public funds under its audit.

The Bill, which was tabled by Minister in Charge of Law and Institutional Reforms Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, was expected to be passed during this Dewan Rakyat meeting, which ended on July 18.

Currently, Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has the power to carry out a follow-up to determine if its recommendations are implemented following investigations into the Auditor-General's annual reports.

Federal and state departments and agencies would have to respond to the PAC within two months after receiving the recommendations.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/06/27/amendments-to-audit-act-to-empower-a-g-with-more-authority