Aidel (seated centre) together with other state assemblymen in a group photo after the press conference.
MUKAH: Members of the state Public Accounts Committee (PAC), led by chairman Aidel Lariwoo, arrived for a two-day visit to a sago plantation here yesterday to follow up on issues raised in the Auditor-General’s Report (AGR).
Aidel, who is Sadong Jaya assemblyman, revealed that the visit – the committee’s first – was to confirm and examine the issues raised in the AGR before referring the matter to the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA).
“Among the issues raised were the unsatisfactory performance of the sago plantation project; the carrying out of an intensive study only after the rehabilitation programme failed; and that research results have yet to be implemented to improve performance of the sago plantation,” he told a press conference.
“Other issues of concern include government loans to enterprises that have not been serviced or paid, as well as purchase of excavators which exceeded the needs of users.”
According to Aidel, the project started in 1987 at an estimated cost of RM264.7 million, and that the outstanding loan balance as of this year is RM225 million.
Moreover, the report also stated that the purchase of 41 excavators for the project was a waste because it did not match the size of land and work being implemented.
The Mukah sago plantation project was implemented by two LCDA subsidiary companies, namely Pelita Mukah Sebakong Sago Plantation and Pelita Dalat Sago Plantation. It covers an area of 19.063 hectares in Sebakong, Mukah and Dalat.
Opar assemblyman Datuk Ranum Mina, Tanjung Batu assemblyman Chiew Chiu Sing, Kabong assemblyman Mohd Chee Kadir, Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, Tellian assemblyman Yussibnosh Balo, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang and Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent were among those present at the press conference.