KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has clarified that his remarks during the Budget 2027 debate on Oct 14 were intended to explain government financial procedures, rather than confirm additional allocations.
He said he was also seeking clarification over discrepancies in the Rural and Regional Development Ministry's expenditure.
In his letter of explanation to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, dated Thursday (Oct 22), the Ayer Hitam MP said that his speech had called for clarification on project costs, rather than claiming that the ministry had received additional funds.
“My speech called for an explanation to be provided to the Dewan Rakyat and did not confirm any facts concerning an additional budget.
“I have never stated that for every project, just because we approve it in Parliament, we can immediately obtain the money from the Finance Ministry. That is impossible,” Dr Wee said in his letter.
The MCA president was responding to a motion submitted by Kampar MP Chong Zhemin on Oct 16, seeking to refer him to Parliament’s Committee of Privileges under Standing Order 36(12).
The dispute stemmed from Dr Wee’s speech during Budget 2027 debates on Oct 14, during which Chong accused him of misleading the House over alleged additional allocations for Rural and Regional Development Ministry.
Chong had reportedly asked Dr Wee to retract the claim within 24 hours, arguing that previous budget records showed no supplementary budget had been allocated to the ministry.
In his letter, Dr Wee said Chong’s subsequent motion no longer directly alleged that he had made the statement, but instead claimed his speech gave Parliament the impression that excess expenditure had received Finance Ministry approval.
Dr Wee further cited Johari’s November 2024 ruling that established three conditions under Standing Order 36(12): that a statement misled the House, the MP knew it was inaccurate, and the MP intended to mislead the House.
“None of these conditions has been met,” Dr Wee added.
He added that he had already addressed Chong’s allegations at a press conference and that his full explanation was available on Parliament’s official YouTube channel.
