The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended a follow-up audit on the Education Ministry's 1Bestari.net system.

“The PAC has decided that the Audit Department conduct a thorough follow-up audit regarding whether the matters raised by the department (previously) had been rectified, because many of the government expenses (on 1BestariNet) is questionable,” the committee wrote in its report on 1BestariNet.

The report, tabled in the House today, was based on proceedings held in 2015 on March 17, April 8 and 16 June when Pulai MP Nur Jazlan Mohamad was still the PAC chief.

Besides a follow-up audit, the PAC also recommended an audit on the effectiveness of 1BestariNet's implementation, and for the Audit Department to review contracts under the programme to safeguard the government's interests.

1BestariNet was introduced under former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who was then also education minister in 2010. The project sought to provide internet service to 10,000 schools as well as create a virtual learning environment.

The PAC probe arose from weaknesses found in the management of contracts.

According to a circular from the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) dated Dec 29, 2009, projects worth more than RM50 million must undergo a value management lab (VML) assessment.

The PAC, however, said the 1BestariNet project did not go through this process.

The report stated that officers from the Education Ministry's information management division claimed they were unaware of the EPU circular, and as such did not implement VML as required.

“The PAC can't accept the excuse given by the Education Ministry regarding its lack of awareness regarding the VML circular,” the committee said in its summary.