PUTRAJAYA, Jan 26 — The national audit system must be faster and more accurate, and oriented towards delivering maximum impact to the people, rather than merely correcting accounts or as a routine exercise, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said auditing delays could lead to leakages and undermine public confidence in the transparency of the national auditing system.
“If we say our auditing system is good and transparent, but it is slow and sluggish, it will create space for leakages to occur. That is why audits must be faster and more accurate,” he said in his speech at the launch of the 120th anniversary of the National Audit Department (NAD) here today.
Also present were Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, and Auditor-General Datuk Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi.
Anwar said NAD must also ensure auditing systems introduced and implemented do not burden the public and are easy for them to understand.
“Sometimes the systems we introduce are felt by the people to be very burdensome. Every time we take new steps to try to make improvements, they are often opposed by those who are accustomed either to inefficiency or to misappropriation.
“But how can we introduce new systems that are not perceived as overly burdensome or overly complicated for the people? This requires the auditor-general and the entire departmental family to engage with, understand and try to reach out to the public, because I consider this important,” he said.
In this regard, Anwar said the auditor-general and officers of the department must make frequent field visits to engage with the people so the public understands the audit system is something good, necessary, and will, for example, determine the nation’s progress.
“We do not want the perception that the audit system is burdensome. The audit system must be explained as a proactive effort to make improvements.
“If we want this country to elevate its standing, with systems that are far more effective and efficient, more transparent and that provide greater benefits and value to the people, then the test lies in how we engage with and help the public understand (the importance of the audit system),” he said.
Anwar also said a well-implemented auditing system can ensure issues such as leakages, confusion and abuse of power are prevented.
“That is why I welcome the steps, efforts and initiatives taken by the auditor-general and her colleagues here. By streamlining the auditing system, long-standing problems that have plagued our country for years — such as misappropriation of funds, abuse of power and persistent leakages — can be contained.
“The nation must be saved, and one of the ways to do this is to ensure that the auditing system is sophisticated and comprehensive,” he said.
Anwar said the government gives NAD full latitude to conduct audits in ministries, departments and government agencies, subject to existing rules and laws.
He also urged NAD to explore new approaches to continuously improve the existing audit system to minimise the possibility of leakages during audits.
“Auditing is a dynamic system. If we stick to old thinking and past performance levels, we will go nowhere. Therefore, there must be a positive sense of urgency on how to improve (the existing system).
“We must move forward, step boldly and decisively, and ensure the country is on the right track. This requires the participation and commitment of all parties, including NAD and all colleagues.
“If we want to ensure the country reaches a level of progress we can be proud of, we have no choice but to mobilise all our strength to bring about the best possible change,” Anwar said.
