KOTA KINABALU: Four state government-linked companies (GLCs) had been audited under the 2014 Audit Plan by private auditors, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said yesterday.
The companies are Saham Sabah Bhd, Perkasa Trading Sdn Bhd, Warisan Harta Sabah Sdn Bhd and Sawit Kinabalu Sdn Bhd, he said in response to a question from Balung assemblyman Datuk Syed Abas Syed Ali in the State Legislative Assembly.
“The national Audit Department has raised some concerns and is taking action against these companies,” Musa said, adding that the state government was aware of the matter.
Among the concerns raised by the department was the sale of Saham Sabah Bhd that had failed to reach its target and
the failure of Skim Pembangunan Rakyat Termiskin (Hardcore Poor Development Scheme) by Saham Amanah Sabah, which had failed to achieve its objective.
Musa, who is also Finance Minister, said Saham Sabah Bhd had informed him that the target for the sale of its units this year had been met.
“For Skim Pembangunan Rakyat Termiskin, Bank Negara has agreed to reschedule the repayment of the RM40 million loan in installments in 10 years.
“So far, RM4 million has been paid,” he said.
Musa also thanked Kepayan assemblyman Dr Edwin Bosi for providing him with the newspaper cutting about the RM880 million State Reserve Fund (KWRN) which was approved by the National Finance Council recently.
“Thank you for asking me as it gives me an opportunity to explain about this fund that is made available to assist states that are having financial problems.
“I won’t mention the states which are in Peninsular Malaysia.
“They can use the fund to help out in their repayment.
“But in the state of Sabah, we have a few billion ringgit in reserve so we do not need to use this fund,” Musa said.
The National Finance Council had agreed that the federal government provide an additional RM350 million to the State Reserve Fund for 2015 and 2016, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Najib, who is also the Finance Minister, had said the federal government would also provide RM530 million to KWRN
for 2017. He said the overall contributions to KWRN for the three years had amounted to RM880 million.
“The total contribution allocated by the federal government to the fund for 2015 is RM720 million and RM580 million (2016),” Najib told reporters after chairing the National Finance Council meeting.