Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Steven Sim revealed the 2017 KL SEA Games accounts are being subjected to an external audit following a directive from the Finance Ministry.
Sim, who paid a courtesy visit to Twentytwo13’s office in Plaza TTDI, Kuala Lumpur this afternoon, said the move was in line with Pakatan Harapan’s call for good governance.
“The accounts have been audited internally but the Finance Ministry has requested that it undergo an external audit,” he said.
“It (the Games) involved a lot of money and many things were done rather fast.”
“We are not implicating anyone but it is in line with our call for good governance and in the interest of the public that the accounts be closed.”
Some RM450 million was allocated under Budget 2017 to host the KL SEA Games and Asean Para Games. In 2017, it was reported that the ministry collected RM100 million from over 300 sponsors.
Sim was unable to confirm when the accounts would be closed as the national contingent prepares for the Manila SEA Games in November.
“I can’t give (an exact) date but we will try and push it out as soon as possible. I will expedite it.”
As for the post-Games executive summary, Sim said: “I will have to check on that.”
A post-Games summary is usually released several months after a multi-sports Games and then a detailed report is released by the organisers, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses, if any, of the event.
Sim,who spent close to two hours at Twentytwo13, added he enjoyed a good working relationship with Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
“I’m often asked this question, if Syed Saddiq is focusing on youth and I’m focusing on sports. No, there is no half (responsibility) in the ministry. We both focus on youth and sports.
“However, there are certain special projects that come under our direct purview, like for me it’s the Belia Berisiko (Youths at risk) programme, among others.”
Sim said Syed Saddiq’s young age or inexperience were not a hindrance in getting work done.
“I’ve got no problem dealing with him despite him being younger than me. He is genuinely idealistic, perhaps because he is young, and that’s good.
“If you talk about experience, well none of us have any experience in the government.”
“In fact, we make a good team. It’s easy working with him and to get a listening ear. We deal on a bro basis,” he added.
