PETALING JAYA: Weaknesses in the payments made under the Digital Content Grant has resulted in the wastage of public funds amounting to RM4mil and improper payments amounting to RM7.31mil, the Series 2 of the 2021 Auditor-General’s report has found.
The report released on Feb 16 said the lack of monitoring by the then Communications and Multi-media Ministry on regulations and enforcement of agreements had resulted in wastage of public funds and improper payments.
The audit was conducted on Digital Content Grant payments disbursed by the ministry to its Content Development Division, the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, to determine whether the spending of the grant was in accordance with the laws, agreements, guidelines and financial regulations.
“Payments of Digital Content Grant from year 2017 to 2019 amounting to RM4mil was made despite the failure to complete,” the report said.
It added that payments of grants amounting to RM3.25mil was also made before the completion of previous projects.
“The Digital Content Grant disbursed to companies related to members of the board or committee members amounting to RM4mil,” it added.
The audit also found improper payments of RM60,000 and the sale of broadcasting rights without approval.