RM1.66 mln losses from weaknesses in Putrajaya gov't quarters rental collection - Audit report

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 (Bernama) -- Weaknesses in government quarters’ rental collection in Putrajaya led to the government losing RM1.66 million in revenue leakages, according to the Auditor-General's Report for the Year 2021 Series 2. 

Based on the report released today, the losses include RM1.16 million in rent that was not collected from residents who occupied the quarters for a period ranging from 12 to 179 months, going back as far as 2007.

Audit checks also found that rental collection was not adjusted to the occupant’s grade and the location of their office, resulting in revenue leakage amounting to RM0.5 million.

“This happened because of the failure of the occupants to notify the absence of salary deductions for the rental, providing inaccurate financial statements and no checks done on the occupancy status of officers transferred,” the report stated. 

In this regard, to ensure compliance with financial regulations, the auditors recommended that the Property Management Division (BPH) of the Prime Minister's Department take several measures. 

They include ensuring that Quarters Occupants Registry is complete and well maintained, up-to-date, and shared with the ministry on a regular basis so that return collections of Fixed Housing Allowance (ITP) and Cost of Living Aid (BSH) of the occupants can be monitored.

The audit also suggested the ministry make announcements from time to time to raise officers' awareness of their respective responsibilities to report any errors in emolument payments.

-- BERNAMA