SINGAPORE: Weaknesses in the Housing and Development Board’s (HDB) eligibility checks for season parking – involving nearly S$25 million (US$19.4 million) in improperly approved applications – and lapses in contract management under the Ministry of Health (MOH) were among the issues flagged by the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) in a report published on Wednesday (Jul 15).
For the 2025/2026 financial year, AGO audited government financial statements covering 16 ministries and eight organs of state, along with three statutory boards, four government-owned companies and two other accounts.
Across these entities, auditors identified lapses in areas ranging from contract and revenue management to oversight in grant administration and financial controls. Weaknesses were also flagged in IT controls and possible irregularities in records provided for audit.
Several ministries and agencies, including HDB and MOH, have made police reports.
HDB: SEASON PARKING LAPSES
HDB featured prominently in this year’s report, with auditors flagging weaknesses in its eligibility checks for season parking and family season parking.
These involved applications and renewals totalling about S$24.99 million that were approved despite applicants not meeting the criteria.
Auditors also found that commercial vehicles were charged incorrect season parking rates, resulting in an estimated S$1 million in under-collection of fees.
The AGO also noted that HDB did not exercise adequate oversight of its contractor engaged to provide patrol and enforcement services for its car parks. As such, HDB may have overpaid about S$9.7 million for patrol and enforcement services that were not performed.
Beyond parking, the audit found weaknesses in HDB’s eligibility checks for housing initiatives such as the Married Child Priority Scheme, the Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) scheme and the CPF Housing Grant scheme, resulting in flats allocated and grants disbursed to ineligible applicants.
There were also issues with contract management, including errors in the valuation of works under the Home Improvement Programme and possible irregularities in quotations for star rate items – referring to items for which rates are not listed in a contract.
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