Sunday, 21 October 2012 22:28

KOTA BARU: Government departments and agencies in Kelantan were advised to always pay close and serious attention to financial matters.

Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang said this was to ensure that all financial regulations and procedures were adhered to so that they would not have to be reprimanded in the Auditor-General's Report.

He said excellence in managing financial matters definitely required competent and observant staff with close supervision by the department heads.

"This is a big challenge for the government department and agency heads in this state," he said in his speech at the official opening of Wisma Audit Negeri Kelantan in Bandar Baharu Tunjong, here, today by the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V.

Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

Construction of the project costing RM18 million including the land acquisition, began in 2008 and was completed in December last year.

Ambrin hoped that measures for improvement would always be undertaken by the departments and agencies in planning, implementing and monitoring programmes or projects in Kelantan to avoid completion delays and spiralling costs.

"They should also carry out value management in implementing development projects," he said.

Ambrin said as an independent and professional body, the state Audit Department played an important role in promoting sound management by state government departments and agencies towards raising the accountability and integrity of each public servant entrusted with managing public finds in an efficient and prudent manner.

"I believe that in carrying out its responsibilities, this (audit) department does not only identify existing weaknesses but also offers suggestions for improving the organisations' financial management."

In this respect, he said, each government department and agency in the state should learn lessons from the weaknesses highlighted by the Audit Department to avoid extravagance, wastage and misappropriation from recurring.

- Bernama