PROGRAMMES aimed at providing poor Malaysians with skills training with a budget of RM258 mil was mismanaged during the 2016-2018 period, said the Auditor-General’s Report 2018 Series 3.
Among the findings include: a payment of RM3.5 mil for a programme that was carried out before an agreement was signed, the transfer of funds without approval and expenditure that was not permitted amounting to RM377,000, and payment of RM2.6 mil was not made according to financial procedures.
AG also found that only 54.4% of the allocation was spent.
The Economic Planning Unit, under the Prime Minister’s Department, was the main coordinator for the programme with three other coordinating agencies, namely Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK), Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (Teraju) and the Youth and Sports Ministry, as well as six implementing agencies.
The budget given was for 2016 to 2018 to manage a programme known as the Capacity and Capability Building Programme of Special Group (PPKK) to provide short- and long-term training for the B40 target group.
The aim was for the government to provide them with skills training so the participants can look for jobs and improve their household income.
“The programme was not implemented efficiently, and there were weaknesses in monitoring and choosing the implementing agencies, service providers and programme, so much so that its objectives cannot be met,” said the report. – July 15, 2020
