Bandar Seri Begawan - Forty-Five delegates comprising heads of Asean Supreme Audit Institution (AseanSAl) attended the AseanSAls Symposium on Good Governance' organised by Brunei's Audit Department yesterday, at the Rizqun International Hotel in Gadong.

The symposium began with the mass recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and a doa prior to welcoming remarks by Pg Hj Abdul Rahman Pg Hj Mat Salleh, the Auditor General, Audit Department, Prime Minister's Office.

In his welcoming remarks, the Auditor General highlighted the significance of good governance for the sustainability of economic growth and human development, explaining that issues lie first and foremost with government agencies.

He added that the United Nations (UN) Resolution A/66/209 adopted at the 66th UN General Assembly on December 22, 2011 states that Supreme Audit Institutions can only accomplish their task objectively and effectively if they are independent of the audited entity and are protected against outside influence.

He also said that the resolution clearly stresses the important role the Supreme Audit Institutions play in promoting the efficiency, accountability, effectiveness and transparency of public administration.

The vital role of the Supreme Audit Institution is promoting good governance and, therefore, must work together to enhance institutional capacity in order to carry out their fiduciary roles more effectively, in accordance with the given mandates. With enhanced capacity, Supreme Audit Institutions can effectively help achieve good governance and consequently contribute towards sustainable human development.

During the first-day of the symposium yesterday, a speech was presented by Haji Poernomo, the Chairman of AseanSAI and Chairman of Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan of the Republic of Indonesia; following which a keynote address was delivered by Tan Sri Dato' Setia Ambrin bin Buang, the Chairman of the Knowledge Sharing Committee and Auditor General of the National Audit Department, Malaysia.

Among the highlights of the symposium were the presentation of papers by experts from each AseanSAl member state who possess a wide range of knowledge and experience in public sector audits, and a forum on `Impact of Audit on Ensuring Good Governance'.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin