KUALA LUMPUR – The National Professors’ Council has denied that it has misused funding from the government between 2019 and 2023, as stated in the 2024 Auditor-General’s Report.
In a statement earlier, the government dissolved the council in 2018, and there has not been any funding received from the government until 2022.
“The government has made a decision to dissolve this organisation with immediate effect on May 23, 2018.
“From the date of dissolution, the council no longer receives government funding and operates solely on its own donations and funding, moving forward as an independent entity.
“Throughout this period, the council has undertaken several initiatives to ensure its survival, including amending its constitution to reflect its new position and status,” it said.
It added that it was only in January 2022 that it was reestablished and began receiving funding from the government.
The council is an entity under the Prime Minister’s Department that reports to the Higher Education Minister.
The Auditor General’s Report 2/2024, released today focusing on audits of activities from 2019 to 2023, found that the council had misused its financial funding.
This includes paying a huge allowance of RM207,000 to the permanent chairman and deputy chairman without the minister’s approval.
It was also discovered that discrepancies amounting to RM373,516 of the council’s funds were utilised to cover the operational expenses of two companies owned by members of the board of trustees.
Meanwhile, the report also recommended that the Prime Minister’s Department review the National Professors’ Council as a government-regulated company.
“The status of the National Professors’ Council needs to be determined before considering whether grant funding should continue to be disbursed to it,” the report stated.
The Auditor General also urged the department to take appropriate action regarding its management. – July 4, 2024