Kuala Lampur:An audit revealed that RM2.55 million from the Light Dues Fund (KWDA) and Marine Trade Centre Fund (KWPPL) was used for allowances and facilities in 2025 without valid authority, as detailed in the Auditor-General's Report 2/2026. Of this amount, RM2.31 million involved KWDA funds, while RM239,784 was from KWPPL.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, an examination of KWDA's 2025 expenditure showed that RM2.31 million was allocated as allowances and facilities to the KWDA Board and officers of the Malaysian Marine Department (JLM) without proper authority. KWDA and KWPPL's total expenditures amounted to RM131.98 million and RM6.77 million, respectively, in the same year.

By December 31, 2025, KWDA had a balance of RM273.12 million, with receipts of RM103.48 million, while KWPPL held a balance of RM24.72 million with receipts amounting to RM5.81 million. The report highlighted that the RM2.55 million in question was not covered under the Federation Light Dues Act 1953, Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, or the Financial Procedure Act 1957.

In a response dated July 2, 2026, JLM clarified that the KWDA Board and KWPPL Committee are separate entities governed by different rules, and thus, the payment of allowances adhered to existing regulations for each entity. The KWDA Board had approved the Lighthouse Board Regulations 2016, which included fixed allowances for the Chair and Board members under Act 250.

The JLM also stated that specific officers, including the Management Representative and Operations Officer, were entitled to allowances at approved rates, and those with a direct interest were excluded from decision-making, which was carried out collectively.

However, the audit concluded that KWDA and KWPPL are public funds, and their usage must comply with the governing laws, Act 61, and current financial regulations. The report noted that approval for payments not specifically provided for under Act 61 requires the Minister's jurisdiction, and thus, the KWDA Board and KWPPL Committee lacked valid authority to authorize the RM2.55 million in payments.