The government has launched a nationwide audit of public offices as it seeks to reduce leasing costs and improve the management of government assets. Principal Secretaries received an update on the payroll audit, which is aimed at identifying ghost workers and removing fraudulent salary payments from government payrolls. The audit uncovered cases of ghost workers, forged employment records, multiple salary payments and questionable banking details. Investigators also found instances where some employees were recorded as having joined the public service before they were born or before reaching the age of 18. It has also established payroll audit units in state departments and plans to roll out similar audits in county governments.