Ensure accountability in deals flagged by A-G, says TI-M
PETALING JAYA : Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) has urged the government to ensure accountability after the Auditor-General's Report 2025 flagged issues involving several projects worth hundreds of millions of ringgit.
TI-M president Raymon Ram said the report unveiled irregularities and systemic weaknesses in financial management and procurement oversight, necessitating structural reforms.
Raymon said such issues were not new and had been repeatedly flagged by the audit department, but they had continued because of outdated procedures, weak oversight and a culture of impunity.
'Where is the accountability for all these lapses?
'The government must take a firm stance and hold the leadership accountable for discrepancies involving public funds.
'These recurring findings highlight institutional weaknesses that demand more than administrative corrections; they require structural reform,' he said in a statement.
Raymon said the revelations further erode the confidence of Malaysians in public institutions.
The A-G's report flagged serious issues on how more than RM460 million of government funds was spent on land deals, university tenders, and defence contracts between 2020 and 2024, naming Felcra Bhd, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and the army.
He urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the police to initiate investigations into these issues to look into the possibility of fraud, abuse of power or negligence.
He also called on the relevant government ministries, departments and agencies to disclose the remedial actions they would take within 30 days to show responsibility and ensure public confidence.
The government must make it mandatory for independent third-party experts to be roped in to monitor high-risk procurements under 'integrity pacts', involving civil society and professionals from the private sector, he said.
Raymon also urged Putrajaya to table a comprehensive public procurement law that outlines transparency standards, penalties for non-compliance and clear procurement dispute mechanisms.
'The A-G's report must not be an annual ritual of regret.
'It must serve as a catalyst for reform, one that rebuilds institutional integrity, ensures justice for wrongdoing and protects the interests of the rakyat,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
24 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
In Dewan Rakyat today: SST impact on construction, foreign business regulations and animal welfare
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — The government's move to ensure ongoing construction projects are not affected by the Sales and Services Tax (SST) and the current policy on the freedom of foreign nationals to operate businesses in Malaysia are among the highlights of today's Dewan Rakyat sitting. According to the Order Paper on the official Parliament website, Yusuf Abd Wahab (GPS-Tanjong Manis) has asked the Works Minister to state the categories of construction projects exempted from SST and what measures the ministry is taking to ensure the tax does not impact ongoing construction projects. He also wanted to know whether the Madani Government would consider granting a grace period before imposing the SST on the construction sector. At the same session, Mohd Hasnizan Harun (PN-Hulu Selangor) will ask the Minister of Housing and Local Government about the current policy on the freedom of foreign nationals to operate businesses in Malaysia, especially in the retail sector. He has also requested clarification on the action taken against premises registered under a citizen's name but fully operated by foreign nationals, including cases involving the use of a wife's name who is a citizen. Also to draw attention is a question on the abuse of stray animals, raised by Wong Chen (PH-Subang) to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security. Wong wishes to know whether the ministry will introduce a comprehensive national framework to address stray animal abuse and whether it will collaborate with non-governmental organisations, local authorities and animal welfare experts to implement an integrated and holistic approach. Following the Q&A session, the Dewan Rakyat sitting is scheduled to proceed with the tabling of two bills for first reading, namely the Cross-Border Insolvency Bill 2025 and the Education (Amendment) Bill 2025. The sitting then continues with the second reading of the Fees (Pengkalan Kubor Ferry) (Validation) Bill 2025, the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament will be held for 24 days until August 28. — Bernama In Dewan Rakyat today:
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Caring for the carers: A social enterprise steps in to assist Malaysia's ‘sandwich gen'
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — Juggling work, parenthood and elderly care, Malaysia's 'sandwich generation' often faces burnout due to a lack of proper support systems. Caught between responsibilities, many have been forced to quit their jobs so they can care for their family full-time because there are few accessible alternatives. And then the Covid-19 pandemic happened. For Teman Malaysia co-founder Ezzati Nasir, the time during the movement control order (MCO) highlighted a crucial need for these carers – caregivers. 'We saw a lot of problems that occurred among the seniors because their children were not able to go back to their parents. 'So that was our focus at the time,' she told Malay Mail in a recent interview. Ezza Nasir, chief executive officer and co-founder of Teman Malaysia. — Picture courtesy of Yayasan Hasanah Turning challenges into opportunities Teman Malaysia was born in 2020 through an incubator programme called Social Enterprise Education Laboratory, powered by Petronas and Tata Consultancy Services. Although there were already caregiving services in the market, the demand far outweighed the supply. 'We were part of the programme that was a place where social enterprises that solve social problems were put together, at the time also helping to solve youth unemployment,' Ezzati said. 'We were then looking for ways on how we can create a business that is able to create job opportunities to reduce youth unemployment rate at the time. 'That's when we coupled the problem together; seniors who don't have anyone to help them, and those who are in need of work/job opportunities.' She said jobs like food delivery during the pandemic were mostly taken up by men, leaving women with fewer options. Teman created an opportunity for unemployed women, especially as caregiving roles in Malaysian households typically fall on women. 'Our main objective was to incorporate the whole seniors ecosystem, however we're not trying to provide healthcare services,' Ezzati said. 'We were focused on seniors who are still able but their children are not confident enough to let them do things on their own, so they just need a teman around. 'That's how the Teman name came about.' How Teman works Unlike nursing services or retirement homes, Teman supports independent seniors who just need help with tasks like going to appointments, grocery shopping, or simply someone to chat with. 'I initially wanted to create a pool of Temanians who could accompany seniors who wanted to do the fun stuff like sports, recreational activities, eating and shopping. 'But as the team grew, we noticed that in Malaysia the need for medically related caregivers was still the main demand,' Ezzati said. Teman started with 10 caregivers. Today, over 300 people have been trained, with 40 to 60 actively working, mainly in the Klang Valley. 'One of our first training partners was the National Cancer Society Malaysia, recognising that many caregiving skills overlap with those used in palliative or long-term care,' said Ezzati. The enterprise is working on a 'travelling Temanian' package for families who want to travel with elderly parents who need support. 'It is my dream to be able to offer this type of service to help ease a family when they are travelling with seniors, but currently we don't have full-time caregivers. 'For now, we have Temanians who apart from being a caregiver, they help support an existing caregiver, allowing the main caregiver some time off and personal time,' Ezzati said. From just 10 people initially, Teman now has over 300 trained Temanians with 40 to 60 actively working, mainly in the Klang Valley. — Picture courtesy of Yayasan Hasanah Teman operates on a pay-per-hour model, with short-term and long-term packages ranging from six hours to up to 10 hours daily, in 20-day booking blocks. 'Seventy per cent of the fees go directly to the Temanians, with the remaining 30 per cent sustaining the organisation,' Ezzati said. With funding support from Yayasan Hasanah, Teman offers subsidised care for underserved seniors and families. 'Those referred by the Department of Social Welfare or zakat agencies receive services for free, funded through a blend of sponsorship and cross-subsidisation. 'Every month, we allocate 20 hours of free service for those who can't afford it. 'We're also exploring how by offering slightly premium services could help fund the cost of care for less fortunate clients,' Ezzati said. Call for regulation When Teman first launched, Ezzati said Malaysians didn't see caregiving as a real job. 'Before Teman started, the climate at the time was that this is not something many Malaysians would like to do. 'They don't look at this as a career opportunity. Formerly they would rather pay a domestic helper to take up this role, but now we can see a prospect of this becoming an income earner. 'We've seen many women who had to stop work to care for their children or sick parents, now their parents are no longer here, they already have the skill set to be a caregiver, why not join Teman and earn an income?' Despite growing demand, Ezzati said Malaysia still lacks a clear national caregiving framework. Her team is now working with non-profit groups like Kendana, and government agencies, seeking regulations for the welfare of caregivers and those on the receiving end.
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Malay Mail
HKSTP Takes Nine Game-Changing AI Tech Ventures to WAIC 2025 to Advance China's AI Plus Vision in Transforming Business and Industry
HKSTP is embarking on a mission to advance China's AI Plus vision with nine Hong Kong AI park companies at the WAIC 2025. Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Centre Limited (HKSRE ) is an InnoHK R&D centre focuses on aerospace technology R&D to foster international collaboration for the Chang'e-8 mission. It brings together institutions from local and overseas to jointly develop the mission's Hong Kong-operated robot—a multifunctional lunar surface operations and mobile charging system. ) is an InnoHK R&D centre focuses on aerospace technology R&D to foster international collaboration for the Chang'e-8 mission. It brings together institutions from local and overseas to jointly develop the mission's Hong Kong-operated robot—a multifunctional lunar surface operations and mobile charging system. Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ( CAIR ) Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation Chinese Academy of Sciences is another InnoHK R&D centre, showcases MicroNeuro, the world's first flexible robotic system for minimally invasive neurosurgery to address challenges of fragile brain tissue and confined spaces, surpassing human surgical limits. ( ) is another InnoHK R&D centre, showcases MicroNeuro, the world's first flexible robotic system for minimally invasive neurosurgery to address challenges of fragile brain tissue and confined spaces, surpassing human surgical limits. Digital Domain, a global leader in Hollywood visual effects and AI virtual human technologies, showcases the AI-powered video creation solution "HANBAO" and "AI DOMAIN", an all-in-one content creation platform, empowering creators to tailor high-quality short videos for online platforms. Digital Domain has set up its state-of-the-art R&D centre in Hong Kong, driving the innovative development among entertainment and cross-industry. Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAIR) ClusterTech Limited Digital Domain Hong Kong Centre for Cerebro-cardiovascular Health Engineering (COCHE) HK INBOT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Centre Limited MattVerse Limited Metapool Technology Limited Ultipa Hong Kong Limited HONG KONG SAR / SHANGHAI, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 27 July 2025 - Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is embarking on a mission to advance China's AI Plus vision with nine Hong Kong AI park companies at the World AI Conference & High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance (WAIC) 2025, taking place from July 26-29 in Shanghai, China. In collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Cyberport, HKSTP is leveraging Hong Kong's growing global AI innovation hub status to advance the China's strategic AI initiative and applying AI and big data to transform old and new industry sectors to boost a new era of growth."Hong Kong is a crucible for world-class AI innovation and our unique HKSTP ecosystem provides an ideal platform to empower AI tech firms with global fluency and pave the way for global expansion. By taking local tech companies on a global growth journey and attracting more international startups to land Hong Kong and integrating into the Mainland China or even the Asia markets means a growing critical mass of world-class AI innovators is created. This influx of global talent and technology will accelerate the country's high-tech industry and economic development, further fueling the national drive for new quality productive forces."The nine park enterprises participating in the Hong Kong Pavilion cover technologies in life and health tech, fintech, entertainment, aerospace tech, digital education and more, highlights included:In addition to the showcase of tech firms, HKSTP also hosted a provoking panel discussion at WAIC 2025, exploring the theme of: "From Hong Kong to global impact: Shaping the future with AI and New Quality Productive Forces for Cross-industry Growth", moderated by Ms Pheona Kan, Director of Business Development at HKSTP with the fellow scientists and experts from the discussion highlighted how Hong Kong has a unique role in global AI development by uniting international talent and technology behind the city's AI vision which also aligns with China's vision to transform industry through quality productive the largest I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong, HKSTP is home to over 500 AI startups, including home-grown unicorns that are shaping the future of artificial intelligence. In alignment with Hong Kong's bold vision for technological leadership, the HKSTP San Tin Technopole Campus—a 20-hectare site within the soon-to-be-built San Tin Technopole—will serve as a critical catalyst for the city's next wave of innovation. Strategically located in the heart of the Northern Metropolis, the Campus is poised to become a flagship landmark for AI+ and beyond, aiming to promote its widespread development and application across year, WAIC 2025, themed "Global Solidarity in the AI Era," will bring together top scientists, global leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and innovators in the AI participation at WAIC 2025 is a testament to Hong Kong's role as a bridge between Chinese and global innovators, fostering collaboration and exchange of ideas, technologies, and governance #HKSTP The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 to create a thriving I&T ecosystem grooming 13 unicorns, more than 15,000 research professionals and over 2,300 technology companies from 26 countries and regions focused on developing healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies, etc. Our growing innovation ecosystem offers comprehensive support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation for technology ventures, with the I&T journey built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong, where sectors including advanced manufacturing, micro-electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined. Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen plays positive roles in connecting the world and the mainland with our proximity, strengthening cross-border exchange to bring advantages in attracting global talent and allowing possibilities for the development of technology companies in seven key areas: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech and sustainability, with both dry and wet laboratories, co-working space, conference and exhibition facilities, and more. Through our R&D infrastructure, startup support and enterprise services, commercialisation and investment expertise, partnership networks and talent traction, HKSTP continues to contribute in establishing I&T as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong. More information about HKSTP is available at
