Lawmakers demand explanations for RM28 million in MyDigital ID spending and call for new rules on government company dividends following the Auditor-General’s report.
KUALA LUMPUR: The implementation of MyDigital ID and revenue management at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) dominated parliamentary debate on the Auditor-General’s Report today.
Most MPs demanded explanations for the RM28.13 million spent on MyDigital ID not in accordance with the steering committee’s decision. Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said the large allocation needed public clarification.
He also proposed an audit of the special purpose vehicle, MyDigital ID Sdn Bhd, managing the project. The report highlighted that MIMOS Bhd expenditure was used for salary payments without a proper operating allocation.
Datuk Awang Hashim echoed concerns, stating the MIMOS salary payments raised doubts about compliance and financial governance. Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi said the spending was a serious procedural and integrity issue.
He proposed that all national strategic projects using the SPV model undergo full and forensic audits. Periodic disclosures to Parliament on project progress were also recommended.
Separately, MPs urged the government to create laws requiring profitable government-owned companies to pay dividends. Hassan Abdul Karim noted no legal provision currently mandates such payments.
He revealed that in 2022, only 15 out of over 100 government companies paid dividends directly to the Federal Government. Petronas contributed RM50 billion that year and RM40 billion in 2023.
The management of student fee revenue at UKM’s Centre for Shaping Advanced and Professional Education also drew criticism. Azli Yusof proposed a comprehensive review of all third-party fee collection agreements at public universities.
“Students’ fee money is a trust. It does not belong to any individual or other entity, but belongs to the institution,” he said during the debate. Cha Kee Chin described the disclosure as embarrassing and called for drastic action.
LKAN 1/2026, tabled yesterday, revealed 273 new issues involving financial management and governance at federal and state levels. The report covers ministries, departments, statutory bodies, and state government companies.
The Sun Malaysia
