PTPTN or Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional is going to be the next major scandal involving tens of billions Ringgit, without anyone being held responsible. It looks like a mess perpetrated by those responsible so that it will not be easy to sort out. Again, it looks like responsible borrowers who paid their dues lost out to those irresponsible who might not have to repay since they are no longer shown as debtors in the system.
It is easy to blame the system; the different computer software used to upgrade which involved migration of data; the changes in persons in charge, each one not responsible for proper handing over of duties; the 'tidak apa' attitude of civil servants who cannot be sacked, only transferred if found guilty of any wrongdoing, and so on.
Many years ago, when computers were in their infancy, auditors were trained to 'audit through the system' and not round it. Basically, most people did not know what was inside the computer, only print-outs which provided audit trail. So unless we test to confirm that the system works, merely relying on the print-outs was meaningless. It has been a long time since we have heard of GIGO or Garbage In Garbage Out when referring to computers. Yet, this basic fact still holds true. No matter how well designed, a computer software system depends on accurate and correct data input before it can generate meaningful reports. If inaccurate or false data were inputted, then unreliable reports will be generated.
A few years ago, BG land office was in a mess in terms of quit rent record. Many property owners were issued current year bills with arrears of previous years which went back some ten years before. When I questioned an officer, he sheepishly admitted that they had to rely on our receipts to update their record! So for those used to not keeping receipts they had to pay again. Now, the system seems working without any complaints that I know of.
The PTPTN problem should have been sorted out years ago. Looks like the habit of passing the buck and procrastination seems to have snowballed the basic problem of proper record keeping to this alarming level. If banks can do it, why can't our government? Again, it seems to be that of not knowing what is really happening, with the minister, his deputy, his assistants and heads of department pretending to know what they are doing.
Malaysiakini's article which prompted this post:
Dirty data behing PTPTN's mountain of debt
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/214490
Link
It is easy to blame the system; the different computer software used to upgrade which involved migration of data; the changes in persons in charge, each one not responsible for proper handing over of duties; the 'tidak apa' attitude of civil servants who cannot be sacked, only transferred if found guilty of any wrongdoing, and so on.
Many years ago, when computers were in their infancy, auditors were trained to 'audit through the system' and not round it. Basically, most people did not know what was inside the computer, only print-outs which provided audit trail. So unless we test to confirm that the system works, merely relying on the print-outs was meaningless. It has been a long time since we have heard of GIGO or Garbage In Garbage Out when referring to computers. Yet, this basic fact still holds true. No matter how well designed, a computer software system depends on accurate and correct data input before it can generate meaningful reports. If inaccurate or false data were inputted, then unreliable reports will be generated.
A few years ago, BG land office was in a mess in terms of quit rent record. Many property owners were issued current year bills with arrears of previous years which went back some ten years before. When I questioned an officer, he sheepishly admitted that they had to rely on our receipts to update their record! So for those used to not keeping receipts they had to pay again. Now, the system seems working without any complaints that I know of.
The PTPTN problem should have been sorted out years ago. Looks like the habit of passing the buck and procrastination seems to have snowballed the basic problem of proper record keeping to this alarming level. If banks can do it, why can't our government? Again, it seems to be that of not knowing what is really happening, with the minister, his deputy, his assistants and heads of department pretending to know what they are doing.
Malaysiakini's article which prompted this post:
Dirty data behing PTPTN's mountain of debt
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/214490
No comments:
Post a Comment