KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong’s explanation over the Rural and Regional Development Ministry’s RM2.1bil expenditure controversy was accurate, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister backed the Ayer Hitam MP following a heated exchange in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday between him and Kampar MP Chong Zhemin.
Chong had moved to refer Dr Wee to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee over allegations that he had made that could have misled the Lower House about the ministry’s expenditure.
Dr Wee said he had never accused anyone of misappropriating the funds but had sought clarification on the financial approval processes involved to prevent perceptions that the money had disappeared or had been given to ministers to spend at their discretion.
He said he had been referred to the committee and asked to explain himself over the controversy, adding that he had written to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker seeking an opportunity to clear his name.
“What I said was that something had happened, and I was referring to the statement by the Treasury secretary-general, which mentioned the figures cited by the Deputy Prime Minister.
“I never said that anyone had ‘sakau-ed’ the money. Various allegations have been made. I asked for clarification so that the government’s image would not be tarnished. That is all,” he said.
Dr Wee said any revision to the allocation had to go through the proper approval process, whether through the Economic Planning Unit for development expenditure or through warrant financing by the Finance Ministry.
“I know this because I have been a minister before. Without these approvals, the money cannot be released.
“Only now has there been an acknowledgement of the actual expenditure. That is why I said it would be best to explain all three processes.
“If these processes are omitted, it gives the impression that the money has disappeared or that it was handed to ministers to spend as they pleased,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid subsequently backed Dr Wee’s explanation, saying the Ayer Hitam MP had provided the correct answer before proceeding with his ministerial explanation.
“Do you hear that, Kampar? That is the correct answer. Ayer Hitam’s answer is correct.”
Chong had previously challenged Dr Wee to identify who had used the word “sakau” in relation to the RM2.1bil expenditure controversy.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid, who is the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the RM2.1bil difference between the original allocation and actual expenditure for the Rural Road Programme (JALB) arose when actual expenditure of RM6.108bil was compared with the original allocation of RM3.982bil without taking into account the revised allocation.
“For the record, from 2023 to 2025, JALB’s original allocation totalled about RM3.982bil. Following adjustments, the revised allocation stood at RM6.143bil, while actual expenditure amounted to RM6.108bil.
“However, compared with the revised allocation, actual expenditure remained below the amount available, leaving a balance of about RM34.3mil.
“Where did the RM2.1bil figure come from? It was derived by subtracting the original allocation of RM3.982bil from actual expenditure of RM6.108bil, without taking the revised allocation into account,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said the allocation was revised to meet project payment needs, including when work progressed faster than expected or outstanding claims for earlier projects had to be settled.
He stressed that every adjustment was subject to government approval and financial procedures.
