Treasury Secretary-General Datuk Seri Asri Hamidon said expenditure on overseas work will only be allowed for matters such as scheduled/periodic meetings/negotiations or conferences approved under the annual budget and those that are truly important and have a significant impact on the country’s interests . — Bernama pic
Friday 15 July 2022 19:00 MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — Government ministries, departments and agencies must always take measures to control external spending to avoid additional financial implications, according to the Ministry of Finance (MoF).
Additional requests for allocation of funds for the purpose of working abroad will not be considered, the ministry stated in the Malaysian Treasury Circular — Guidelines on Public Expenditure Savings.
Treasury Secretary-General Datuk Seri Asri Hamidon said expenditure on overseas work will only be allowed for matters such as scheduled/periodic meetings/negotiations or conferences approved under the annual budget and those that are truly important and have a significant impact on the country’s interests .
“Furthermore, meetings and conferences approved by the Cabinet are also permitted, and control officers are encouraged to engage the chief ambassador/Malaysian representative in that country or a nearby country to represent the country without representing officials from Malaysia or to participate virtually,” he said. .
He said that the maximum frequency of travel for official duties abroad is allowed in a period of one year three times for the Secretary General/Deputy Secretary General/Head of Department/Head of Agency; and twice for other officers.
Meanwhile, Asri said that the purchase or procurement of goods, as well as the import of materials for new procurement, is not allowed, except for those goods that cannot be procured locally and the need to procure them through import is really urgent and very critical.
“However, ministries/departments/agencies must obtain prior approval from the MoF,” he added.
According to him, all statutory bodies and subsidiaries must give priority to domestic investments.
“Any investment that involves the outflow of funds (to foreign countries), except for those that already have obligations, contracts, as well as a payment plan, must receive approval from the MoF,” he said. — Bernama
