Perbezaan pandangan antara KKDW, MoF tak jejas kerjasama PH-BN

PKR Deputy Youth Leader Kamil Munim noted that differing approaches in certain matters are common in political cooperation. LUMUT: The disparity between the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) and Finance Ministry (MoF) does not undermine the potency of political collaboration between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN), Munim stated.

He mentioned that disparity in approaches is common in political cooperation, and has been well-managed in several past elections. There is no concern about any deals being broken. Electoral matters are not limited to Melaka PRN; Johor and Negeri Sembilan also took a different route. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim suggested that the issue between KKDW and MoF should be harmoniously addressed through internal discussions involving both parties, he said when attending a gathering of the Malaysia Silat Seni Gayong Association Perak.

Munim, who is also a political aide to the Minister of Finance, said a focus on further research into funding needs and ensuring the priority given to rural community development projects would be given at the MoF level. The issue attracted attention following differing statements by leaders of both blocs regarding funding for non-urban development projects, sparking speculation about the harmony of PH-BN political relations ahead of the Melaka PRN.

The issue arose from statements by Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Zahid Hamidi concerning problems faced by contractors regarding delayed payments for projects under his ministry. Zahid said the problems were affecting contractors working on government projects, and emphasized the need to resolve the issue to prevent payment issues from continuing.

Perbendaharaan Chief Johan Mahmood Merican clarified on Sept 2 that there is no restriction on the KKDW funding for rural roads projects, and all funding for related projects has been allocated. He stated that the shortage in the payment process to contractors is due to the majority of the current year's budget already being saved.

In another development, PKR Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng suggested that the government consider reviving the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as a personal viewpoint based on his arguments and analysis. He said the government's current stance is to continue the implementation of Sale and Services Tax (SST), with any changes needing to take into account the current situation and needs.

In this case, the government's approach and decision is to continue with the existing base for now, he said. Yesterday, Lim suggested the government should bring back GST and implement it appropriately, if it is more effective than SST.