Giatmara ‘bought’ sugar for RM170 per kilo
The Treasury said in its explanation to the Auditor-General’s findings made public yesterday that the Giatmara centre had mistakenly paid RM170 per kg instead of RM1.70 per kg for sugar for a poverty eradication programme last year.
The reply, found in the 2010 audit report, said that “the mistake was not detected ... resulting in overpayment of RM25,245.”
It added that after Giatmara sent written requests to JD Works Enterprise to reclaim the surplus payment, the supplier “agreed to return the difference by instalments.”
JD Works Enterprise paid RM1,000 a month from July to September 2011, leaving a balance of RM22,245.
Mara management then ordered Giatmara chairman Datuk Shahiruddin Ab Moin to investigate the matter on September 23, 2011.
It was only then that JD Works issued a cheque for the remainder.