The Ministry Of Rural and Regional Development said it is setting up a monitoring team to conduct a compliance audit on Kemas pre-schools as an immediate measure to tackle the issues raised in the Auditor General's Report 2010.

In a statement today, the ministry's secretary-general Ibrahim Muhamad outlined nine points he said they would be acting upon.

NONEAmongst these, disciplinary action would be taken against officers who are proven guilty of negligence, said Ibrahim.

For this purpose, he said, a special committee had been formed to investigate and take action against those officers. Its report will be presented to the ministry on Nov 25.

"A move to claim reimbursements from suppliers involved in the Giatmara scheme is also underway.

"Suppliers who fail to pay up the reimbursements by Nov 30 will be blacklisted from Mara and Giatmara contracts," he said.

Future procurements, Ibrahim added. will only be done after market research of the relevant materials and items is completed.

The recently-released AG report listed a number of problems in the administration of Kemas pre-schools and programmes, including unhygienic food storage and failure for the second year running, to acquire multi-vitamins for pre-schoolers as required by their programme.

Other non-compliance issues include failure to adhere to the menu and recipes fixed by Kemas headquarters and the Health Ministry in food preparation for pre-schoolers.

To address these problems, the ministry has formed an observation team for a compliance audit of all Kemas pre-schools, added Ibrahim.

"Spot checks on food storage at every pre-school will be carried out immediately and action will be taken to solve the problems found."

He said the ministry has directed all pre-schools to follow the food menu outlined and plan early for the procurement of multivitamins for next year.

Furthermore, all Kemas pre-school teachers and officers in charge of asset and store management will also undergo compulsory training and courses.