This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on November 24, 2015.

KUALA LUMPUR: Two buildings supposed to house Malaysian representatives to the United States have been left vacant despite being renovated for RM14.17 million, said the auditor-general’s report yesterday.

The buildings, Annex 1 and 2, bought in 1979 and 1984 for RM1.45 million and RM1.05 million respectively in Washington DC, have been vacant since 2002, the report said.Work to repair and renovate them began in 2010 and was completed in 2012 for RM14.17 million.

“However, the buildings have not been occupied and are still empty,” said the report, which is the third and final for this year. The report also said the warranty period for the buildings had expired on June 29, 2013.

“In the audit’s opinion, the Annex 1 and 2 buildings, which have been renovated but are still not used, are a waste. — The Malaysian Insider