RM7bil flood mitigation projects to be reviewed

PUTRAJAYA: The Prime Minister has ordered a review of flood mitigation projects worth RM7bil after it was found that approvals were given without undergoing the tender process.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said these projects were to be put on hold as they were awarded through direct negotiations.

“I have asked for these (projects) not to proceed and to be reviewed so that the principles of transparency and adherence to laws and regulations are met.

“The amount is big. Although the argument is to resolve flood problems, there are problems when procedures are not followed.

“There must be transparency,” he said here yesterday.

The RM7bil was part of the RM15bil long-term flood mitigation plan from 2023 until 2030.

Several flood relief projects were announced under Budget 2023, including the construction of a dual- function reservoir costing nearly RM2bil along the Klang River and Rasau River in Selangor to overcome floods and store raw water.

Sabo dams, costing RM562mil, will also be built at 46 locations to reduce the risks of debris and mud floods from deforestation.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with senior officials at the Finance Ministry, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, urged Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin not to challenge the government over the issue of the alleged RM600bil expenditure during the latter’s administration.

The Prime Minister said based on information obtained, certain processes and procedures were not followed involving fund expenditures, including during the movement control order.

He also alleged that there were companies with family links, but did not elaborate.

Anwar said during the 15th General Election, among the issues played up was how the previous administration had spent a lot of money for the people.

The Prime Minister claimed that there were several billion ringgit involved in violation of procedure.

“Therefore, to Tan Sri Muhyiddin, do not challenge the government because there are several procedures and processes which were not abided by,” he said.

On Monday, Anwar said he would leave it to the authorities to investigate the amount spent by Muhyiddin’s administration during the Covid-19 pandemic.

There have been calls for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate government spending during the pandemic.

Muhyiddin, who is also Perikatan Nasional chairman, had said that he never embezzled or misused funds meant to help the people and that if he did, investigations would have started a long time ago.