Malaysia: AG’s Report: Performance Of HDC Needs To Be Enhanced

imagesKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Bernama) — Although the performance of Halal Industry Development Corp Sdn Bhd (HDC) is overall satisfactory, its level of achievement can still be improved, to ensure the government’s objective of making Malaysia an international halal hub is met.

According to the 2012 Auditor-General’s Report tabled in the Dewan Rakyat here Tuesday, HDC’s performance up to March 14 this year was fairly good, when compared to the government allocation received three years ago.

HDC spent RM34.60 million from 2010 to 2012 to implement halal industry programmes.

“The programmes undertaken in 2010 utilised internal funds as there was no allocation from the government between 2006 to 2008.

“HDC only received the government allocation in July 2011 and June 2012, and the delay forced implementation of programmes to be extended to the subsequent years,” the report added.

The Auditor-General also said HDC’s financial activities need to be enhanced to ensure the development allocation channeled to it is spent as determined in the services agreement to ensure the objectives are met.

In 2010, HDC became an agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti). Elements such as direction, objectives and Miti Key Result Areas, including overlapping of other agencies under Miti was taken into account.

“Miti has undertaken a number of measures to oversee the implementation of programmes under HDC through the establishment of an Audit and Oversight Committee.

“The auditors found that HDC needs to follow the services agreement to ensure that activities implemented do not affect the interest of the government,” the Auditor-general said.

Bernama