Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) Audit Report 2023

[Carbon82]

This should be a more important piece of news for Singapore, NOT some extramartial affairs! 

The part on disbursement using personal bank account is a major lapse to me, as it may lead to misappropriation of public funds as well as promoting scamming activities (when recipients of such funds thought that it is normal to transact via personal accounts). 

S$1 million over-disbursement of grants by CAAS, weakness in controls at PA among lapses flagged by Auditor-General

SINGAPORE: The over-disbursement of grants by S$1 million (US$754,000) by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and weaknesses in controls at the People’s Association (PA) were among the lapses flagged by the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) in its report on Wednesday (Jul 19).

The AGO’s audit report of public agencies in Singapore for the financial year 2022/2023 also focused on four COVID-19 grants – the Jobs Support Scheme, Rental Relief Framework (Rental Cash Grant), Rental Support Scheme and the SingapoRediscovers Vouchers scheme.

The AGO audited 16 government ministries, eight organs of state, four government funds, eight statutory boards, four government-owned companies and two other accounts.

The report noted lapses in procurement and weaknesses in controls at the PA.

This includes lapses in the evaluation and award of three tenders. The scores given by the tender evaluation committee for certain sub-criteria could not be substantiated or were incorrectly assessed.

For two of the tenders, the evaluation sub-criteria and scoring methodology were determined only after the tenders had closed.

Three grassroots organisations had also awarded or renewed contracts with two debarred contractors.

The AGO also found inappropriate money management practices for welfare assistance schemes at two grassroots organisations.

One of these organisations transferred S$707,000 from April 2019 to May 2022 to personal bank accounts so staff could withdraw the money for cash disbursements to welfare assistance recipients at festive events. The money was transferred over seven instances, with amounts ranging from S$10,000 to S$200,000.

For the second grassroots organisation, S$334,500 was transferred from July 2020 to November 2021 to a staff member’s personal bank account. This was used to reimburse hawkers and merchants for their claims under a voucher assistance scheme.

This money was transferred over 46 instances, in amounts ranging from S$500 to S$21,200.

According to the PA, these practices were implemented due to operational needs, said the AGO report. It added that this practice of transferring grassroots organisations' money to personal bank accounts was “inappropriate”.

“While AGO’s test checks did not find any evidence of money being lost or misappropriated in the above two cases, such practices pose significant risk of loss or misappropriation,” said the report.

“It would also be unfair for the staff to bear the consequences should the money be unaccounted for during the process.”

For two community service projects that had been in operation for more than 10 years, the grassroots organisations did not enter into formal agreements with the external service partners, setting out the terms and conditions of the partnership arrangement.

In a separate press release, PA said it takes the AGO findings very seriously and is committed to resolving and improving its governance, procurement and oversight processes.

[Inlinefour]

got pappies steal eat again 

[Stary]

On 7/19/2023 at 8:30 PM, Carbon82 said:

This should be a more important piece of news for Singapore, NOT some extramartial affairs! 

The part on disbursement using personal bank account is a major lapse to me, as it may lead to misappropriation of public funds as well as promoting scamming activities (when recipients of such funds thought that it is normal to transact via personal accounts). 

S$1 million over-disbursement of grants by CAAS, weakness in controls at PA among lapses flagged by Auditor-General

The AGO also found inappropriate money management practices for welfare assistance schemes at two grassroots organisations.

One of these organisations transferred S$707,000 from April 2019 to May 2022 to personal bank accounts so staff could withdraw the money for cash disbursements to welfare assistance recipients at festive events. The money was transferred over seven instances, with amounts ranging from S$10,000 to S$200,000.

For the second grassroots organisation, S$334,500 was transferred from July 2020 to November 2021 to a staff member’s personal bank account. This was used to reimburse hawkers and merchants for their claims under a voucher assistance scheme.

This money was transferred over 46 instances, in amounts ranging from S$500 to S$21,200.

According to the PA, these practices were implemented due to operational needs, said the AGO report. It added that this practice of transferring grassroots organisations' money to personal bank accounts was “inappropriate”.

 

The above is shocking to me.  How can cash be transferred to personal account due to operational needs?  PA has no official bank account?

The staff who accepted the funds in their account also never think clearly. It is such a big risk to act as an intermediary for such purpose.

 

[macrosszero]

If AGO audits everyone who audits them?

[PSP415]

Poor management of funds plus worse that debarred contractors are still allowed to tender and be awarded jobs. Makes a mickey, I mean, mockery of the debarrment process.

This is also unacceptable to me. Nonsense. 

Dun play play with AG and works processes. Speaks tons of the lack of integrity of the personnel involved and very poor eyesight, I mean, supervisory oversight.

These should be beheaded, I mean chopped off, aiyah, sacked. Salaries are paid for honest work, not laziness and half fxxxxx attitude. Not happy with pay and job, go beg on the streets, I mean stay home and eat air or whatever that lazy people deserves. 

Stay safe all. I hate such people, regardless where or what organisations. It's worse when it's rampant. 

Not feeling very cheery. 

[Soya]

On 7/19/2023 at 9:05 PM, Macrosszero said:

If AGO audits everyone who audits them?

Ownself check ownself lor

So best is have auditors from other gahmen agency take turns every year to audit them instead. Shld hv nothing to fear. No?

 

[macrosszero]

On 7/20/2023 at 11:01 AM, Soya said:

Ownself check ownself lor

So best is have auditors from other gahmen agency take turns every year to audit them instead. Shld hv nothing to fear. No?

 

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ex-cpib-assistant-director-edwin-yeo-jailed-10-years-for-criminal-breach-of-trust

[inlinesix]

On 7/20/2023 at 11:01 AM, Soya said:

Ownself check ownself lor

So best is have auditors from other gahmen agency take turns every year to audit them instead. Shld hv nothing to fear. No?

AGO is the ONLY auditor within public sector

[Soya]

Lol....old habits die hard dun they? 

[inlinesix]

On 7/20/2023 at 11:48 AM, Soya said:

Lol....old habits die hard dun they? 

My ole habit is towards you only

[Soya]

Wahahaa I rest my case. Some simply juz dun get it....

 

[Beehive3783]

On 7/19/2023 at 8:30 PM, Carbon82 said:

This should be a more important piece of news for Singapore, NOT some extramartial affairs! 

The part on disbursement using personal bank account is a major lapse to me, as it may lead to misappropriation of public funds as well as promoting scamming activities (when recipients of such funds thought that it is normal to transact via personal accounts). 

S$1 million over-disbursement of grants by CAAS, weakness in controls at PA among lapses flagged by Auditor-General

SINGAPORE: The over-disbursement of grants by S$1 million (US$754,000) by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and weaknesses in controls at the People’s Association (PA) were among the lapses flagged by the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) in its report on Wednesday (Jul 19).

The AGO’s audit report of public agencies in Singapore for the financial year 2022/2023 also focused on four COVID-19 grants – the Jobs Support Scheme, Rental Relief Framework (Rental Cash Grant), Rental Support Scheme and the SingapoRediscovers Vouchers scheme.

The AGO audited 16 government ministries, eight organs of state, four government funds, eight statutory boards, four government-owned companies and two other accounts.

The report noted lapses in procurement and weaknesses in controls at the PA.

This includes lapses in the evaluation and award of three tenders. The scores given by the tender evaluation committee for certain sub-criteria could not be substantiated or were incorrectly assessed.

For two of the tenders, the evaluation sub-criteria and scoring methodology were determined only after the tenders had closed.

Three grassroots organisations had also awarded or renewed contracts with two debarred contractors.

The AGO also found inappropriate money management practices for welfare assistance schemes at two grassroots organisations.

One of these organisations transferred S$707,000 from April 2019 to May 2022 to personal bank accounts so staff could withdraw the money for cash disbursements to welfare assistance recipients at festive events. The money was transferred over seven instances, with amounts ranging from S$10,000 to S$200,000.

For the second grassroots organisation, S$334,500 was transferred from July 2020 to November 2021 to a staff member’s personal bank account. This was used to reimburse hawkers and merchants for their claims under a voucher assistance scheme.

This money was transferred over 46 instances, in amounts ranging from S$500 to S$21,200.

According to the PA, these practices were implemented due to operational needs, said the AGO report. It added that this practice of transferring grassroots organisations' money to personal bank accounts was “inappropriate”.

“While AGO’s test checks did not find any evidence of money being lost or misappropriated in the above two cases, such practices pose significant risk of loss or misappropriation,” said the report.

“It would also be unfair for the staff to bear the consequences should the money be unaccounted for during the process.”

For two community service projects that had been in operation for more than 10 years, the grassroots organisations did not enter into formal agreements with the external service partners, setting out the terms and conditions of the partnership arrangement.

In a separate press release, PA said it takes the AGO findings very seriously and is committed to resolving and improving its governance, procurement and oversight processes.

Why are there stupid kumgongs allowing their personal bank accounts to be used for work purposes? really stupid kumgong. 

[Spidey10]

walauuee....when it rains it really pours....

i think I can do a better job in internal control leh...Employ me as Parliament Chief Auditor ...

[RH1667]

" In a separate press release, PA said it takes the AGO findings very seriously and is committed to resolving and improving its governance, procurement and oversight processes. "

No explain or provide details on what are the improvement, preventive action?

If this is you-know-lah , i think it would warrant another COP or maybe legal case already. 

 

[inlinesix]

On 7/20/2023 at 4:15 PM, RH1667 said:

" In a separate press release, PA said it takes the AGO findings very seriously and is committed to resolving and improving its governance, procurement and oversight processes. "

No explain or provide details on what are the improvement, preventive action?

If this is you-know-lah , i think it would warrant another COP or maybe legal case already. 

Improvement/preventative action must put some thought into it.

Not something that goes into a press release la

Edited July 20, 2023 by inlinesix

[SGMCF328]

Really unbelievable that such practices exist in government-related organization.

I just have 1 question: How can PA be absolutely sure that the correct amount was disbursed to the correct recipients on the correct date by the 2 appointees? Does PA has the rights and resources to audit these personal accounts to ensure there is no embezzlement of public funds?

Embezzlement can be in many form (e.g. use the money for other than the intended purpose at some point of time, and then returning the amount at a later date.), and not just running away with it. 

[Ahwhye]

wah piang! these people living in some parallel universe huh? after @Jamesc's bff jibby use of personal account to keep money, still dare to use personal account?

[Victor68]

I have an interesting observation for audit. Why do company has this practice of paying for auditors best hotel stay, bring them for lunch/dinner, treat them like God? Shouldn't they just pay them a lump sum like all the other consultants fee to ensure an impartial findings?

Similarly, when conducting an internal audit, auditors are also treated differently from other internal staff carry out works for the company. Isn't this practice already a failure  from the audit POV?