{
  "id": 12566264,
  "title": "Govt failing to collect billions in outstanding debts, says PKR’s Hassan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/govt-failing-to-collect-billions-in-outstanding-debts-says-pkrs-hassan",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T06:16:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/07/govt-failing-to-collect-billions-in-outstanding-debts-says-pkr-s-hassan"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim criticized the federal government for its weak debt collection practices, stating that only 5% of RM9.273 billion in outstanding debts were recovered last year. During a debate on the 2026 auditor-general’s report in the Dewan Rakyat, Karim pointed out that despite the government's ability to borrow, it struggled to recover debts. The report highlighted that billions of ringgit owed to the federal government remained unpaid, with some cases dating back 40 years. Karim emphasized that the debt collection system had failed, urging the government to refrain from bailing out loss-making companies, especially considering the country's high debt levels. He cited MyEG Group's RM314 million in arrears to the road transport department as an example and urged against taxpayer-funded bailouts.",
  "summary": "Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim says some debts owed to the government have remained unsettled for as long as 40 years.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Govt failing to collect billions in outstanding debts, says PKR’s Hassan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/govt-failing-to-collect-billions-in-outstanding-debts-says-pkrs-hassan-12568623",
        "published": "2026-10-07T06:16:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}