I tell my boss I spend 2 million on new equipment, accounts paid that 2 million and put it in the books. Auditors check, cannot find equipment and cannot find invoice for that 2 million = unable to determine validity and accuracy of items. If it's 1 - 2 thousand for a TC to have something that small go missing is understandable. 20 million worth of upgrades that are not verifiable non-recorded, serious fucking issue
You should really apply your own advice to yourself. There's another key word, try to spot it:
"The auditors said they were unable to determine the validity and accuracy of various items in the town council's accounts, including
receivables of some S$1.8 million, lift repair and lift upgrading expenses of some S$20 million"
Receivables are not expenditure. I don't think I need to explain what the 2 terms are. Going back to Sylvia Lim's press statement, it is stated that the receivables were for town improvement projects which is given
only to the grassroots by HDB in turn given to PAP town councils including the previous Aljunied TC under PAP. The same fund where recently in Hougang Desmond Choo (a more objective fella) got it after discussion with Png. Now that the TC is under WP, the grassroots being a PAP entity does not bother to account to the AHPETC on the discrepancy.
Even if it wasn't receivables but expenditure, the cheque for upgrading cannot be issued to Sylvia Lim's name, as what is asserted by Mulew or perhaps you. In the absence of invoice, there are still financial statements and tender documents containing contractor's names. Even India doesn't corrupt like that.
Difference between the 2, 1 passed the audit, the other didnt
Nonsense. The auditor does not make or enforce the law - it highlights what it sees are notable. The law is by government cannot be applied unevenly - if it is a wrong practice, both PAP and WP town councils should be asked to change it.