Latest news with #LKAN
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
PM Anwar stresses independent auditing to strengthen governance across ASEAN
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on auditors, accountants and regulators across ASEAN to reaffirm their commitment to good governance rooted in values and human dignity. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, stressed that technical excellence must be accompanied by moral clarity and independent oversight to build accountable institutions and societies. He said the core of good governance is accountability. 'We talk about inclusivity, sustainability. But if you look at the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, the premise is, of course, responsible and good governance. That represents the conscience of the majority of our people. 'Who wants to live in a country of excesses, endemic corruption and waste? That is why I strongly support ASEAN Audit Institutions to implement this vision,' he said in his speech at the closing ceremony of the ASEAN Auditor Conference 2025 held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here today. Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Auditor-General Datuk Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi. In his speech, Anwar further stressed the importance of empowering audit institutions to operate independently and to follow the trail of accountability wherever it leads, in order to be prepared to face the challenges in this country and region. 'Now we stand beyond this, about upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability, and through this, strengthening anti-corruption frameworks, again, through the independence of auditors and regulators,' he said. The Prime Minister also stressed that he has never interfered with or altered any information contained in the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) before it was submitted to the Cabinet or presented to Parliament for open and transparent debate. 'That is why I've mentioned this to my cabinet colleagues... even I do not determine what the results or priorities should be. They briefed me of course, recently, about two weeks ago about the report. But the briefing was not for me to interfere with or change it,' he said. 'That is what we mean by good governance and transparency. This, ultimately, will strengthen governments and integrity and will be reflected in sustained improvements, again, in the corruption perception index,' he said. Anwar said that beyond positioning ASEAN as a strong economic bloc, it must also stand as a symbol of peace and a region that upholds the highest standards of good governance and accountability. In line with Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 and the appointment of Malaysia's Auditor-General as Chair of the ASEAN Audit Committee, the National Audit Department (NADM) is hosting the inaugural ASEAN Auditor Conference 2025 from yesterday until today under the theme 'Inclusive and Sustainable Auditing for a Progressive ASEAN'. The conference convenes more than 2,000 participants from public and private sectors, including regional and international delegates and several Heads of Supreme Audit Institutions from ASEAN and beyond, such as Brunei, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, the Maldives and Yemen.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Anwar salls for good governance in ASEAN audits
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on auditors, accountants and regulators across ASEAN to reaffirm their commitment to good governance rooted in values and human dignity. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, stressed that technical excellence must be accompanied by moral clarity and independent oversight to build accountable institutions and societies. He said the core of good governance is accountability. 'We talk about inclusivity, sustainability. But if you look at the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, the premise is, of course, responsible and good governance. That represents the conscience of the majority of our people. 'Who wants to live in a country of excesses, endemic corruption and waste? That is why I strongly support ASEAN Audit Institutions to implement this vision,' he said in his speech at the closing ceremony of the ASEAN Auditor Conference 2025 held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here today. Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Auditor-General Datuk Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi. In his speech, Anwar further stressed the importance of empowering audit institutions to operate independently and to follow the trail of accountability wherever it leads, in order to be prepared to face the challenges in this country and region. 'Now we stand beyond this, about upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability, and through this, strengthening anti-corruption frameworks, again, through the independence of auditors and regulators,' he said. The Prime Minister also stressed that he has never interfered with or altered any information contained in the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) before it was submitted to the Cabinet or presented to Parliament for open and transparent debate. 'That is why I've mentioned this to my cabinet colleagues... even I do not determine what the results or priorities should be. They briefed me of course, recently, about two weeks ago about the report. But the briefing was not for me to interfere with or change it,' he said. 'That is what we mean by good governance and transparency. This, ultimately, will strengthen governments and integrity and will be reflected in sustained improvements, again, in the corruption perception index,' he said. Anwar said that beyond positioning ASEAN as a strong economic bloc, it must also stand as a symbol of peace and a region that upholds the highest standards of good governance and accountability. In line with Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 and the appointment of Malaysia's Auditor-General as Chair of the ASEAN Audit Committee, the National Audit Department (NADM) is hosting the inaugural ASEAN Auditor Conference 2025 from yesterday until today under the theme 'Inclusive and Sustainable Auditing for a Progressive ASEAN'. The conference convenes more than 2,000 participants from public and private sectors, including regional and international delegates and several Heads of Supreme Audit Institutions from ASEAN and beyond, such as Brunei, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, the Maldives and Yemen.
Barnama
28-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
PM Anwar Stresses Independent Auditing To Strengthen Governance Across ASEAN
GENERAL PUTRAJAYA, May 28 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on auditors, accountants and regulators across ASEAN to reaffirm their commitment to good governance rooted in values and human dignity. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, stressed that technical excellence must be accompanied by moral clarity and independent oversight to build accountable institutions and societies. He said the core of good governance is accountability. 'We talk about inclusivity, sustainability. But if you look at the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, the premise is, of course, responsible and good governance. That represents the conscience of the majority of our people. 'Who wants to live in a country of excesses, endemic corruption and waste? That is why I strongly support ASEAN Audit Institutions to implement this vision,' he said in his speech at the closing ceremony of the ASEAN Auditor Conference 2025 held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here today. Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Auditor-General Datuk Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi. In his speech, Anwar further stressed the importance of empowering audit institutions to operate independently and to follow the trail of accountability wherever it leads, in order to be prepared to face the challenges in this country and region. 'Now we stand beyond this, about upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability, and through this, strengthening anti-corruption frameworks, again, through the independence of auditors and regulators,' he said. The Prime Minister also stressed that he has never interfered with or altered any information contained in the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) before it was submitted to the Cabinet or presented to Parliament for open and transparent debate.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Avoid year-end spending sprees in civil service - Chief Secretary to govt
PUTRAJAYA: The practice of hasty end-of-year spending in the civil service, which often leads to waste of resources, must be avoided entirely, said Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. He said poor expenditure management not only undermines the efficient use of resources but also risks creating negative perceptions about the government's integrity and governance. He added that although the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) continues to raise issues on the government's financial management, misappropriation and wastage of public funds still occur. 'If left unaddressed, this issue could become increasingly complex and, without firm solutions, it will affect the credibility and public perception of civil servants in general,' he said in his speech at the opening of the 2025 Management Accounting Seminar organised by the Accountant General's Department of Malaysia (AGD), here today. The text of his speech was read out by Auditor-General Datuk Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi. Shamsul Azri stressed that civil servants must ensure that transparency, integrity, and accountability remain central to the principles of governance and ethics. He said the MADANI government is focused on optimising public spending by reviewing expenditure policies and the allocation of limited resources to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and value for money. 'Continuing to implement policies geared towards targeted subsidies allows the government to reduce wastage and leakage while creating fiscal space to improve assistance for vulnerable groups,' he said. He added that the government has also taken a positive step forward by amending the Audit Act 1957, which will enhance audit scope in relation to public fund management. This effort also ensures that audit recommendations are taken seriously and acted upon appropriately by all parties, including ministries, departments, agencies, and any entities or companies receiving public funds. Shamsul Azri said the AGD, as the lead agency for management accounting across ministries, has introduced the Treasury Circular PS 1.3 - Implementation of Management Accounting. He said the circular outlines the policy and implementation of management accounting via the introduction of Strategic Management Accounting and Reporting (SMARt). 'This initiative directly enhances the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of ministries in managing finances, risks, resources, and performance by ensuring optimal resource utilisation,' he added. As such, Shamsul Azri urged all ministry secretaries-general, who also serve as controlling officers, to ensure the effective implementation of management accounting and SMARt in order to improve transparency and accountability in all financial decisions. 'Civil servants must proactively acquire increasingly complex technical competencies in finance and accounting, while also equipping themselves with non-financial intelligence to improve the effectiveness of management accounting practices in the public sector. 'The adoption of technologies based on big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and smart automation can assist government agencies in collecting, analysing, and interpreting financial information in real time,' he said.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Govt must avoid wasteful end-of-year spending
PUTRAJAYA: The practice of hasty end-of-year spending in the civil service, which often leads to waste of resources, must be avoided entirely, said Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. He said poor expenditure management not only undermines the efficient use of resources but also risks creating negative perceptions about the government's integrity and governance. He added that although the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) continues to raise issues on the government's financial management, misappropriation and wastage of public funds still occur. 'If left unaddressed, this issue could become increasingly complex and, without firm solutions, it will affect the credibility and public perception of civil servants in general,' he said in his speech at the opening of the 2025 Management Accounting Seminar organised by the Accountant General's Department of Malaysia (AGD), here today. The text of his speech was read out by Auditor-General Datuk Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi. Shamsul Azri stressed that civil servants must ensure that transparency, integrity, and accountability remain central to the principles of governance and ethics. He said the MADANI government is focused on optimising public spending by reviewing expenditure policies and the allocation of limited resources to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and value for money. 'Continuing to implement policies geared towards targeted subsidies allows the government to reduce wastage and leakage while creating fiscal space to improve assistance for vulnerable groups,' he said. He added that the government has also taken a positive step forward by amending the Audit Act 1957, which will enhance audit scope in relation to public fund management. This effort also ensures that audit recommendations are taken seriously and acted upon appropriately by all parties, including ministries, departments, agencies, and any entities or companies receiving public funds. Shamsul Azri said the AGD, as the lead agency for management accounting across ministries, has introduced the Treasury Circular PS 1.3 - Implementation of Management Accounting. He said the circular outlines the policy and implementation of management accounting via the introduction of Strategic Management Accounting and Reporting (SMARt). 'This initiative directly enhances the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of ministries in managing finances, risks, resources, and performance by ensuring optimal resource utilisation,' he added. As such, Shamsul Azri urged all ministry secretaries-general, who also serve as controlling officers, to ensure the effective implementation of management accounting and SMARt in order to improve transparency and accountability in all financial decisions. 'Civil servants must proactively acquire increasingly complex technical competencies in finance and accounting, while also equipping themselves with non-financial intelligence to improve the effectiveness of management accounting practices in the public sector. 'The adoption of technologies based on big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and smart automation can assist government agencies in collecting, analysing, and interpreting financial information in real time,' he said.
