In a report tabled at the Dewan Rakyat today, it stated that the standard operating procedures were not followed through and some of the participants did not benefit from the items supplied to them to run their business.
Participants are supposed to be given items worth RM5,000 but the value of items were not itemised, the report said.
The PAC investigations are based on the 2013 Auditor-General’s report.
Among the projects listed were chili farming in Ketereh where none of the participants running the project received payment.
As for chalet services in Merbok, Kedah which is worth RM1 million involving 111 participants, they have not seen any profits from the project.
The third project listed in the report was the Burung Walit project in Bandar Baru, Kedah. The project started in 2012 and was valued at RM600,000.
It involves 67 people and each of the participants received RM10,000 but the report stated that up to April 2014, none of the participants made any profit.
The report added no detailed research was carried out by those responsible before allocating aid and some of the projects failed to follow guidelines and the government’s financial regulations,” it noted.
The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development has taken action on the issues raised by the Auditor-General, but PAC wants a review on the weaknesses.
PAC said even though the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission is investigating discrepancies in the projects, it has asked the Public Services Department to review the projects as well.
Despite the weakness, PAC has urged the government to continue with the 1Azam programme as it had helped the rakyat especially the lower income group.
It has recommended a detailed evaluation and the programme must follow regulations set up by the government.
It has also pressed the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro Based Industry to monitor the benefits within the time frame set by the ministry.
PAC has recommended the ministry ensure aid given to the participants should be based on the needs and approval should not be delayed.
The 1AZAM programme is a joint effort between the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia aimed at helping the lower income group to be economically independent.