PAC flags National Professors’ Council for mismanagement, advises govt to review its relevance
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today flagged several mismanagement issues in the National Professors Council (MPN) and advised the government to assess the council’s relevance moving forward.
In a report of its findings released today, the PAC noted that the MPN lacks defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and failed to report its activities to the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM), leading to poor governance and misallocation of funds.
This, the PAC said, has hindered MPN from fulfilling its original objectives.
“The operations of MPN have not been fully monitored by JPM since November 8, 2021, leading to various mismanagement issues within MPN,” PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said in a statement.
The PAC also pointed out that MPN’s activities have not been reported to JPM, resulting in a lack of oversight.
“JPM should review whether the existence of MPN remains relevant as a driver of academic expertise to assist the government in national development,” said PAC Chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.She further recommended that MPN be placed under the Higher Education Ministry if it is to continue, given its academic functions.
She also called for clarity on MPN’s status, whether it remains a CLBG under the government or otherwise, in a follow-up meeting.
“MPN must appoint a competent company secretary to ensure effective governance and adhere to relevant laws and regulations,” Mas Ermieyati added.
“Corrective actions must be taken, including obtaining the necessary approval for payments made from the 2022 allocation covering 2018 to 2021.”
The PAC also recommended that JPM establish Standard Operating Procedures for monitoring companies under its oversight to prevent future mismanagement.
The MPN was formed in 2007 as a platform for academics to contribute their expertise to policy-making.
It was disbanded in 2018 when the Pakatan Harapan coalition came to federal power but brought back under the purview of JPM in 2021.
