‘Possible Irregularities’ Found in Records of 3 Government Ministries & 2 Stat Boards

By
Shawn Ambrose
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Every year, the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) carries out audits of public and government authorities to ensure public accountability in the management and use of public funds and resources.

Since it’s an independent organ of state, it can carry out audits “without fear or favour”, as it said on its website.

Ever year, it releases its findings in a report to the President, Parliament, and the public.

It’s latest report, which was recently released, has certainly thrown up some surprises.

‘Possible Irregularities’ Found in Records of 3 Government Ministries & 2 Stat Boards

Lapses and “possible irregularities” have been found in the records of three government ministries and two statutory boards, AGO said.

Its findings were documented in its report for the 2020/2021 financial year, which was made public today (22 July).

The three errant ministries listed were the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), the Ministry of Education (MOE), and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Possible irregularities were also found in the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and People’s Association (PA).

Here are the possible irregularities listed:

  1. MCCY – There were signs that supporting documents for claims could have been photocopies of one another. Changes to the dates and duration of services provided were discovered.
  2. MOE & MHA – They are believed to have created supporting documents or backdated other documents to satisfy AGO’s queries.
  3. HDB – Some quotations could have been created or changed to give the impression they were obtained from other suppliers.
  4. PA – There were signs of quotations being falsified, hardcopy payment supporting documents being changed, and the creation and backdating of documents.

All three ministries, as well as the two statutory boards, have since lodged police reports and launched internal investigations.

The Health Promotion Board (HPB) was also found to have wasted S$5.39 million of public funds, after AGO’s audit found 268,000 excess fitness trackers.

When they launched their own investigations, HPB found a total of 341,000 excess trackers, amounting to S$5.39 million.

Other Lapses

Several government ministries and agencies were also found to have committed lapses and weaknesses in two areas each:

  • Lapses in management of operations and weaknesses in controls
  • Lapses in procurement and contract management
  • Weaknesses in IT controls
  • Weaknesses in management of facility management contracts

In total, the audit covered the financial statements of 16 ministries, eight organs of state, three statutory boards, four government-owned companies, and two other accounts.

AGO also conducted selective audits of eight statutory boards.

MOF Issues Statement, Condemns Actions of Errant Public Officers

Not long after the report was made public, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) issued a statement about the matter.

“We are disappointed with the instances of public officers fabricating or altering documents for audit that AGO had flagged,” MOF said.

It added that such actions “weaken the system of public accountability.”

The ministry issued a warning that the government takes a “zero-tolerance” approach to fraud and corruption.

“We will throw the book at officers involved in suspected fraud and corruption including lodging police reports for criminal investigations to be conducted,” MOF said.

In addition, governance and controls will be strengthened, and internal audits will be intensified, said MOF.

“We will not waver in ensuring public accountability in the use of public funds as we continue to serve Singaporeans to the best of our efforts.”

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Shawn Ambrose
Email: [email protected]