The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has told the Malaysian government to not pay for the use of the MySejahtera app.
In its report, the PAC also said the development of the app is corporate social responsibility (CSR) in nature.
“The government should not pay for the use of the MySejahtera application because its development is CSR in nature. The government should take over the operation of the MySejahtera application without incurring any additional costs as it has become part of the national health system.” the report read, reported Malay Mail.
This comes after PAC takes note that the Prime Minister Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismil Sabri Yaakob’s decision to make payments for the use of the MySejahtera application since April 2021, even though the app was originally developed as a CSR initiative.
“PAC is of the view that the concept of CSR has been used as a mechanism for procuring government projects without going through rightful procurement procedures.” it said.
In response to a question raised by Ipoh Timur Member of Parliament (MP) Wong Kah Woh regarding the payment of the development of the app, Ismail said it began as a one-year CSR effort, which expired on 31 March this year.
Ismail also said the government is currently discussing with the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (Mampu), together with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Public Private Partnership Unit (Ukas), Ministry of Multimedia and Communication (KKMM), National Cyber Security Agency (Nacsa) and National Security Council (NSC) to decide the amount and method of payment for the app.
Meanwhile, the PAC also highlighted that the government’s move to dip into the National Trust Fund (KWAN) to purchase the Covid-19 vaccines is in line with the objectives of the organisation’s founding but “subject to prudent spending”.
“However, the PAC found that the total allocation of RM3 billion for the Covid-19 Fund (KWC) announced by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) during the presentation of Budget 2021, was not taken into account in the overall estimated expenditure of RM322.5 billion under Budget 2021.” it added.
The PAC also advised the government to ensure sustainability of the National Trust to guarantee the wellbeing of our future generations.
Besides, the PAC also pointed out that MOF should ensure that that all government expenditures are clearly accounted for in the national budget, every year.
