Explain RM20mil allocation for third national car project, Dr Wee tells govt


  • Nation
  • Tuesday, 08 Jan 2019

Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. -filepic

PETALING JAYA: MCA has urged the Pakatan Harapan government to explain why RM20mil was allocated for the third national car project. 

Its president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the amount allocated contradicted Pakatan’s previous statements that the national project will not use the people's money. 

“The Pakatan government needs to accept the reality that the country does not need this national car project, but instead, the rakyat desire an improvement in the country’s public transport system. 

“The existence of a good public transport system will not only solve traffic congestion problems, but will also enable the people to enjoy a safer lifestyle. 

“At the same time, a wide network of public transport system would be able to generate economic (benefits) for the locals and the country,” he said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (Jan 8). 

He also took the Pakatan government to task for forging ahead with the third national car project, even though it used the country’s RM1 trillion debt as an excuse to cut down on administrative costs.  

“The national car project suddenly came from the Pakatan leaders, even though it was never mentioned during the general election campaign. 

“It was never (pledged) in Pakatan’s manifesto to be implemented. 

“The people are wondering - why are the election promises not fulfilled? And why are plans that were never promised prioritised instead?” he asked. 

He noted that Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had said on Aug 13 last year that the third national car project will not utilise public funds. 

Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof said on Monday (Jan 7) that his ministry had approved about RM20mil to attract private investors for the development of the third national car prototype.  

He later said on Tuesday that only part of the RM20mil would be used for the project.  

Meanwhile, Dr Wee also took aim at Pakatan’s delay in recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC). 

He said the matter of UEC and wealth distribution are “two separate matters, which can be pursued concurrently”. 

He added, however, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said that wealth distribution is more urgent than recognising UEC. 

“These are the agenda that Dr Mahathir desired to promote. He was only duplicating his past pet projects - the national car and bumiputra policy. 

“What has distribution of wealth or poverty got to do with skin colour? Is recognition of UEC a racial issue? Why can't economic reform and UEC recognition be pursued simultaneously?” he questioned.

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