PUTRAJAYA, May 6 -- The year-end rush to spend or "Christmas shopping" culture in the public service, which leads to wasteful use of resources, must be avoided altogether, said Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

Bernama cited him saying poor spending practices not only reduce the efficiency of resource utilisation but could also damage public perception of the government's integrity and governance.

Shamsul Azri noted that although the Auditor-General's Report had highlighted several issues relating to financial management, instances of misappropriation and wastage of public funds were still occurring.

"If this issue is allowed to grow more complex without decisive solutions, it will undermine the credibil...