Latest news with #AseanAuditorConference
The Star
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Audit firms need to act independently, says Anwar
PUTRAJAYA: There have been previous occasions where major audit firms were complicit in financial scandals, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said this was because the audit firms, including the larger firms, were not entirely free from becoming the target of excesses. 'Here in this country but also in the more developed, industrialised countries, there has been complicity at times. 'If you look, for example, at the 1MDB scandal, there was complicity with the big audit firms. 'This is why audit firms should be empowered to operate independently so that they can follow the trail of accountability wherever it leads,' he said when closing the Asean Auditor Conference here yesterday. In this respect, the Prime Minister lauded the efforts by Auditor-General Datuk Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi despite shouldering the unpopular job of conducting audits. 'That is why we have this 'woman of steel' as the Auditor-General. It is a tough and extremely unpopular task, but it doesn't matter to her as she is not contesting in the elections,' he said. Anwar noted that while good governance is important, the role played by independent auditor firms and the Auditor-General Department is pivotal in ensuring accountability. 'I have mentioned this to my Cabinet colleagues that even I don't determine what should be the results or the priority of the Auditor-General's Report. 'They had, of course, briefed me over the past two weeks or so on the report. But they briefed me not for me to interfere and change what their report had said. 'The briefing is for me to present it to the Cabinet before it is tabled in Parliament for debate. This is what is meant to have good governance and transparency.' Anwar said the independence of such audit reports would also strengthen good governance and integrity within the administration. 'This will ultimately be reflected in sustaining continued improvements in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI),' he added. Anwar said this was the message he had stressed during the Asean Summit for audit firms to act independently to ensure good governance and accountability.
The Star
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Audit institutions should be empowered to operate independently, says Anwar
PUTRAJAYA: Audit institutions in the country should be empowered to operate independently, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said that good governance is crucial and independent auditor firms, particularly the Auditor-General's Department play a pivotal role in ensuring accountability. "I have mentioned to my Cabinet colleagues that even I don't determine the results or priorities of the report. The department recently briefed me on the Auditor-General's Report," said Anwar 'They brief me not to interfere or change their report. The briefing is for me to present it to the Cabinet before it's tabled in Parliament for public debate,' he added. "This is what is meant by good governance and transparency," he said when closing the Asean Auditor Conference on Wednesday (May 28). He added that independent audit reports would also strengthen governance and integrity within the administration. "This will ultimately be reflected in sustaining improvements in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI)," he added. Anwar acknowledged that both foreign and local audit institutions have faced interference, and added that some audit firms, including larger ones, were not entirely free from becoming targets of excesses. "In this country and in more industrialised nations, there has been complicity at times. For example, in the 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad) scandal, there was complicity with big audit firms," said Anwar. "This is why audit firms should operate independently to follow the trail of accountability wherever it leads," he added. Anwar praised Auditor-General Datuk Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi for her efforts despite the challenges of conducting audits. "That is why we have this woman of steel as the Auditor-General. It is a tough and unpopular task, but it doesn't matter to her as she is not contesting in elections," he said, drawing applause and laughter. Anwar stressed this message during the recent Asean Summit for audit firms to act independently to ensure good governance and accountability.
The Star
28-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in good health, resting, says Anwar
PUTRAJAYA: Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is in good health and resting, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. "He is in good condition so let him rest. We will be issuing a statement later," the Prime Minister told reporters when met after closing the Asean Auditor Conference here on Wednesday (May 28). During his speech, Anwar apologised to participants and delegates of the event for being slightly late. "I attended the Fortune Asean-GCC Economic Forum earlier this morning and stopped by the National Heart Institute (IJN) to visit the Sultan of Brunei on my way here. "The Sultan is recuperating and resting," he said. The 78-year-old monarch was admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday (May 27). He is expected to remain there for several days on the advice of Malaysian medical experts, his office added.
