Rural allocation issue won't strain PH-BN ties, says PKR Youth chief

Lumut: PKR Youth chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim stated that disagreements over Rural and Regional Development Ministry allocations under the Finance Ministry will not impact Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional political relations. He emphasized that varying approaches are typical in political cooperation and had been managed effectively in past elections.

The issue is expected to be addressed through internal discussions, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Kamil, serving as the Finance Minister's political secretary, said that allocation requirements will be reviewed and high-impact rural development projects prioritized. The disagreement emerged due to contrasting statements from PH and BN leaders about rural development project funding, sparking concerns about coalition unity ahead of the Melaka election.

Deputy Prime Minister and Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had previously mentioned payment delays for contractors working on projects under his ministry. Treasury Secretary-General Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican later clarified that there were no constraints on the ministry's allocations for rural road projects, as the current year's allocation had been almost entirely spent.

Kamil also dismissed Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng's suggestion to reconsider the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in favor of reintroducing the Sales and Services Tax (SST), stating that the government remains committed to the current policy.