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In the past, these accounts are the private domain of the respective state government even though the funds belong to the public. Transparency was never the order of the day. State budget debates involving both the Opposition and the State Government are but debates on how these funds are to be utilized to obtain the best results for the constituents. We are not talking about how the funds are being utilized but where they are being used and for what purpose. When someone approves RM10 to purchase pencils, the audit would involve whether these pencils were in fact bought, who obtained these pencils for use, what quality were these pencils of, are the pencils correct for usage, just how many pencils were bought and were the purchase of these pencils necessary. Then there is the documentation involved. Every purchase needs to have the initial quotations, the approval for such orders, the issuance of the purchase orders, the supplier invoices, the delivery orders, the acceptance and the payment vouchers.

The same thing goes for the funds being utilized for investment purposes. The State Government makes the final decisions here. Which company? How much? What returns (if any)? Who delegates? Who manages? The reviews. The reports. Who is accountable? Where are the profits channeled? The Opposition can monitor but cannot be directly involved in these processes. A profitable investment does not automatically mean that all profits are garnered and channeled into the state coffers. An unprofitable investment does not automatically mean that corruption was involved.

And then there are the state incomes. A state government derives their revenue from quite a few sources. Licenses, permits, parking fees, council assessments, fines, federal grants, tolls, royalties, rentals, and etcetera. Who audits these incomes? Are all such funds deposited into the state’s accounts? What about the bank interests? Are these interest payments made into the same state accounts or are they directed somewhere else? We are talking about tens of millions dollars and at a miserly 3.75% interest, they add up to quite a bit. A 10 Million Ringgit account would earn a minimal annual interest up to RM375,000 (minus all those bank fees etcetera).

There are many more such items that require auditing. External independent auditing. Sale of state lands, joint ventures, entertainment and travel claims, salaries, fees, allowances, subcontractor claims and quality of works, contract award and approvals, license issuance, permit approvals, staffing, and etcetera. No one claims that everything can be accomplished in accordance to the specifications and some things need to be shortcut to achieve the desired results. However, such actions must be justified and approved. Not verbally but documented and filed (in triplicate).

Additionally, awards of contractual works need a special guideline. Tenders, quotations, costings, bids, material usage, quality of work and etcetera all require auditing. In the event that it is detected that procedures are not adhered to, the PR State Government must investigate to ensure that it will not happen again. Those responsible must be held accountable. The PR State Government cannot be seen to be doing nothing at all. Discovering a can of worms is better than being ignorant of the fact.

It is henceforth advisable that the five PR State Governments start such audits promptly. If not, they will be viewed as just another state government paying lip service but acting in the manner as its predecessors. Why ask the constituents to vote for change when changes are never initiated?

Transparency during one’s tenure at the helm of the state government is one thing. Weeding out the corruption that is ingrained within the system is yet another. It must start somewhere and by someone. Why not here and now?

- Hakim Joe

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