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Auditor-General Finds 136 Financial and Contract Lapses Across Singapore Agencies

Officials say the audit has led to probes, police referrals, commitments to recover funds, tighter controls and greater use of data tools.

Overview

  • The Auditor-General’s Office published a report on July 15 that set out 136 findings of weaknesses in financial governance, contract management and recordkeeping across multiple ministries and statutory boards.
  • The audit flagged a $147.96 million undeclared saving on the National Cancer Centre Singapore project that MOH used for other items and identified approvals obtained after works began.
  • HDB was found to have lapses in eligibility checks that led to flats and grants going to ineligible applicants, a preliminary $9.70 million possible overpayment to a car-park contractor, and $24.99 million in season-parking approvals with about $1 million under-collected.
  • AGO uncovered procurement and record irregularities at several agencies, including possible falsified quotations, backdated quality-control reports and questionable bid submissions, and MOE reported a police complaint after finding possible falsified approval e-mails for officer appointments.
  • The thematic review of nine training-grant schemes covering $2.62 billion found basic controls but instances of ineligible disbursements and potential gaming, and agencies have pledged recoveries, disciplinary action where needed, and more automation and analytics to strengthen oversight.