MANY MINISTRIES, DEPTS RATED EXCELLENT IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- Ten ministries and four government departments
achieved excellence in their financial management in 2009 by scoring 90 marks
and above compared with only four such ministries and two departments the
previous year.

The Auditor-General's Report 2009, issued Monday, said among the ministries
rated as excellent were the Housing and Local Government, International Trade
and Industry, Plantation Industries and Commodities, and Natural Resources and
Environment.

The other ministries were Women, Family and Community Development, Prime
Minister's Department, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, Human Resource,
Works, and Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing.

The departments which also scored high marks were the Malaysia Nuclear Agency,
Minerals and Geoscience Department, Marine Department of Peninsular Malaysia,
and the Survey and Mapping Department.

Fifteen ministries were rated as 'good' in their financial management in 2009 by
scoring 80 to 89 marks, while 36 departments and agencies obtained 70 to 89
marks.

Three departments reached a satisfactory level (60 to 69 marks) in financial
management the same year.

Overall, financial management at the ministerial and departmental level had
improved compared with their performance in 2008, according to the report.

The audit on 25 ministries found that three out of the six main control areas
were at an excellent level, namely Income and Expenditure Management Control;
Budget, Trust Account/Consolidated Trust Fund and Deposit Control and
Management; and Asset and Store Management.

For 44 departments, five main control areas were rated as good except for Asset
and Store Management which was at a satisfactorty level.

The Auditor-General's Report also made several suggestions to improve financial
management such as the controlling officers or heads of department to be more
hands-on and take corrective and preventive measures on weaknesses highlighted
in the report.

It also suggested imposition of surcharge or disciplinary action against those
who failed to collect revenue or make haphazard payments.