It is true there is no law that demands the Auditor-General’s Report be given alongside budget documents.But in the interest of good governance and accountability which any responsible government pledges itself to, the AG’s Report must be expeditiously supplied to lawmakers.
Otherwise, it gives rise to a cause for concern that the delay is an attempt to shorten a critical assessment of the spending habits of government agencies.
Lawmakers are guided by a higher sense of propriety, responsibility and accountability that demands they operate beyond the technical confines of written rules.
So it is correct and proper when lawmakers demand to see the AG Report that, by convention, is provided alongside budget documents.
In my experience as an assemblyman in Pahang, the AG’s Report came along with the budget documents.
This is necessary for legislators who will then go through the spending habits of institutions of government and will ensure that matters are debated as they should be.
As such the AG’s Report has acquired the status of almost an absolutely necessary addendum for the purpose of intelligent and responsible analysis of government spending habits.
I have found them necessary to provide justification or criticisms on the spending habits of the government.
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