AG Report: RM6.6 Million Spent On Spell-Checker Software that is usually free!

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Published on Wednesday, 17 June 2015 09:47                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

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KUCHING: The Education Ministry has spent RM6.6 million to purchase 1,417 copies of spell checker software for 20 schools in Putrajaya.

This was revealed in the Auditor-General’s Report 2014 which also noted that the RM75,600 spent from the total for the purchase of 270 copies of the software priced at RM280 each was unnecessary as it was an oversupply.

The report did not state what language the spell-checker was for, but spell check application is readily available in English for free in most word processors.

The spending was part of the RM28.28 million-contract with a company called Brilliance Information Sdn Bhd to provide information and computing technology equipment to schools in the federal territories between 2012 and 2014.

In its reply to the National Audit Department’s query on May 7, the Education Ministry said it had initially ordered the required units of computers, the same as the number of software copies but the suppliers did not have enough units of the original model of computers.

This, according to the ministry, had caused the ministry to order a more expensive model, but in lesser quantities.

The quantity of the spell check software was however maintained as the ministry was informed that there was a need for existing computers to be installed with the software during that time.

“The 270 copies of spell check software were installed on computers between Jan 12 and 20 in all schools involved.”

Following that, a circular was issued by the controlling officer to every division, department and education institution dated April 22 this year to inform them to ensure their order be made based on needs with no unnecessary purchase.

The equipment and software purchase must be fully utilised, the controlling officer further directed.

According to the federal audit report, a total of RM307.32 million was allocated for the contract to supply ICT equipment to schools nationwide, involving 12 companies.

The biggest award was RM46.53 million to a company called QSiT (M) Sdn Bhd to provide ICT equipment in Sarawak schools.

- TheBorneoPost