Lim Guan Eng calls for MACC action on Zahid over RM2.1b ministry overspending, cites UiTM precedent

Kuala Lumpur, September 30 - Lim Guan Eng, the MP for Bagan, has urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for overspending in the RM2.1 billion budget of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW). Lim believes that the MACC should apply the same strict enforcement as it did in its investigation against Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), where RM260 million was spent on UiTM Holdings without proper authorization.

According to the Ministry of Finance, KKDW overspent by RM1.8 billion in 2023, RM2 billion in 2024 and RM2.3 billion in 2025, totaling RM2.1 billion in overspending under Ahmad Zahid's tenure. Lim warned that this behaviour violates financial procedures and regulations and could lead to MACC facing accusations of selective prosecution if they do not act against Ahmad Zahid and KKDW, due to his high position.

He added that UiTM's management injected RM260 million into UiTM Holdings from 2007 to 2018, leading to accumulated losses of RM157.04 million. Lim called for strict governance to safeguard UiTM's increased RM3.08 billion budget for 2026.