The 1BestariNet project was aimed at providing high-speed 4G connectivity and an online learning platform with the Frog VLE (Virtual Learning Environment).
In a PAC report tabled at the Dewan Rakyat today, the committee said the project was riddled with a lot of suspicious expenses and the contracts awarded were poorly managed.
“PAC cannot accept the excuse submitted by the Education Ministry that it was not aware of a circular regarding the Value Management Lab,” the report said.
The committee has asked the A-G to carry out a study on the effectiveness of the project and it also wants the A-G to review the terms and conditions of the 1BestariNet contract to ensure the government’s interest is protected.
The committee said it would visit urban and rural schools to look into the implementation of the project.
Previously, the committee had asked the Education Ministry to cancel the RM4.1 billion 1BestariNet project as the first phase of the project was poorly delivered.
PAC had found that the first phase of the project, although completed at a cost RM633 million, did not yield the expected results as schoolchildren, teachers and parents still could not access the broadband system.
The project was awarded to YTL Communications Sdn Bhd via an open tender.
The 1BestariNet project, which was expected to be completed over 15 years in three phases, came into the spotlight when the Auditor-General’s Report 2013 showed irregularities in its execution.