KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 28): Poor on-site monitoring by Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) of services provided by its concessionaires has resulted in excess payments made to the companies.

According to the Auditor-General’s Report 2019 Series 2, the standard frequency of solid waste and bulk waste collection was twice and once per week respectively at the rate of RM14.80 for a residence.

However, bulk waste collection in Kedah for a residence was made for a frequency of more than once per week at two to six times per week.

“The rate of payment at RM15.80 to RM19.80 for bulk waste collection was not stated in the concession agreement.

"The audit of the concessionaire work schedule samples selected for the period of 2017 to April 2020 found that actual bulk waste collection was done only once a week, hence resulting in overpayment, calculated to be RM3,358," stated the audit report issued on Tuesday.

It also stated that solid waste and public cleansing management had still not achieved the objectives set as there were still work imperfections as the concessionaires’ services were short of efficiency and effectiveness.

Although various programmes had been implemented, these were clearly ineffective in reducing solid waste, apart from weaknesses in the privatisation management structure, financial attainment, payment process and information management system, among others.

Hence, to ensure that these weaknesses would not recur, several proposals are made to SWCorp, including reviewing the garbage separation method from the source and with the recycling programme implemented to ensure effectiveness in reducing solid waste.

The other suggestions are reviewing the solid waste-generating factors and implementing a suitable and best method in collecting waste recycling data, and ensuring that any matter related to the concessionaires’ services be discussed and decided on by the committee as stipulated in the concession agreement.

It is also suggested that SWCorp improve on-site monitoring of the concessionaires’ services and the iJadual system, and for the work completion report to be integrated with the payment system to improve payment efficiency.

For more stories on the Auditor-General’s Report 2019 Series 2, click here.