For those who are not already tired of hearing AHPETC’s run-in with the government for failing to use public funds with transparency and accountability, the AGO has now audited all ministries and statuory boards in its latest report. To better assure the People of Singapore, AGO even went on to audit the Grassroots Organisations (GROs), helmed by volunteers looking to make their communities better homes for all.
These audits carry out both financial statements and selective audits checks – money and processes essentially. The writer admits – to all Singaporeans out there, all these hullabaloo around financial processes and audits are already difficult to fathom, much less follow. What about these volunteers who have to juggle their day jobs, and put out their all for the community?
Will they be able to wrap their fingers around it, in terms of understanding; much less manipulate it for their benefit, as what some keyboard warriors and anything-alternative-is good-websites are alleging?
Following the spirit of the law
From the audit findings, these volunteers have demonstrated they followed the spirit of the law, just maybe, not the letter. Processes are hard to follow, but these volunteers have demonstrated that their hearts are in the right places.
What were the GROs faulted for
They were faulted for mainly procedural lapses – seeking approval from the wrong approving authority, delay in collecting course fees and data entry errors. But, it seems that the hearts of these volunteers were never in the wrong place – they delayed collecting fees from needy students who had problems paying up. Approval processes were messed up because of urgencies within the community – for example, during the haze period, the vulnerable needed air purifiers urgently – do they really have the luxury of time to wait a month for approval to be sought?
Nonetheless, it is only natural for us to wonder if all this has been rectified.
From the AGO report and how PA has been quick to speak up and deliver its promises, PA has indeed rectified all lapses. Course fees has been collected progressively, data entry errors for social assistance for the vulnerable rectified, right approvals were sought. And most importantly, throughout these, amounts tallied and help went to people who needed it.
They have even set up a Grassroots Finance Review Committee to look at preventing possible lapses in future.
As for the case of Related Party Transactions – it is evident that the volunteers of the area had their hearts in the right place. The volunteers called for quotations and the Investigation Panel set up by PA has also verified that these were handled by the staff in a confidential manner. Tendering processes were also in accordance with the rules.
The tender was awarded to the lowest bidder, which was 30% lower than the next lowest bid.
Now, if processes were so easily manipulable, and the volunteer understood them well enough, he would have sought to milk more profits, letting his company’s bid be maybe, only 5% lower. But no, he was oblivious to the fact that his company had put a bid in; and has also voluntarily stepped down to maintain the integrity of the investigations.
Like the Dark Knight (maybe not as handsome lah, sighs I love the Dark Knight), he and his team have done their best for their community – bettering residents’ lives, enriching their lives with programmes, but knowing when it is best to leave this tough job in the good hands of others.
Volunteers do get tired after all. But we thank you, for your all.
Alternative site The Online Citizen insinuates that PA’s accounts are in bad shape.
That is wrong.
“In the opinion of the auditor, the accounting and other records required by the Act to be kept by PA have been properly kept in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The auditors had given an adverse opinion…for one reason – not including the accounts of its grassroots organisations in the PA’s accounts.”
PA has since however, taken steps to consolidate all grassroots accounts into PA’ financial statements, and has delivered its promise and commitment, presenting a fully consolidated accounts for FY2013, and forth.
Alternative site The Online Citizen calls for funds to be withheld from PA.
I say no.
Lots of people benefit from PA’s activities – on this HDB level I am staying on, the neighbour on my left-hand side goes for PA’s tai-chi lessons. She is an old grandma staying alone, who will be isolated from the society if volunteers and neighbours do not reach out to them. She is kept aware of government initiatives like MediShield, CHAS etc through her RC. Do you reach out to your neighbours? Or do these volunteers do the work?
My cousin does sports like basketball and kayaking at the various CCs around the island. The Malay makcik, with her CC members go around delivering food to poor people who needs it more. My mother goes for terrarium and cooking classes at the CC. I go to the polyclinic at a beautiful CC, so do many others.
With these activities and infrastructure, I see where my tax monies are. And I wish for good places like these, government-run, or private spaces, to be kept for the future generation.
