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KUALA LUMPUR: The Auditor General's report has slammed the Negeri Sembilan Agriculture Department for not speeding up distribution of food processing equipment to entrepreneurs.
The delay, it stated, slowed down the state's efforts to produce five entrepreneurs in each district.
The report showed that equipment bought earlier last year was only delivered nine months later. The delay caused the department to lose money.
Of the 322 pieces of equipment bought for RM1.42 million in the past two year, some RM370,000 worth was not utilised by entrepreneurs.
While commending the department's initiative to help the people improve their income, auditor-general Tan Sri Ambrin Buang said checks with the entrepreneurs needed to be documented.
This, he said, was one way to show proof that meetings were held between the department officers and entrepreneurs.
"The agreement to lend the equipment to participants, entrepreneurs and the department was not made in a proper manner."
Of the 361 participants who showed interest in the Food Processing and Agriculture Industry Entrepreneurship programme, only 104 signed the agreement.
"Without the agreement, it is difficult for the department to take action in case of breach of terms and conditions," he said.
The auditor-general also pointed out weaknesses within the management of stalls in Port Dickson.
The stalls are at Saujana Walk Food Court and Port Dickson main bus station.
Of the 56 lots at the station, only a few were operating due to poor business. The reason given was there were too few commuters at the station as there were only two bus companies operating there.
The drop in the number of customers worsened after several government departments such as Public Works, National Registration moved to the state's government complex.
Due to this, the rental collection dropped by half from RM820,000 in 2006 to RM470,000 last year.
The RM1.14 million Saujana Walk food court also saw a drop in tenants. This cost Port Dickson Municipal Council RM14,400 in rent, as only two out of the six outlets were rented out.
The auditor general said the council needed to adopt a systematic approach. Payments should be properly recorded and courses and training conducted for the hawkers.
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