Pemimpin Umno bidas LGE berhubung dakwaan perbelanjaan berlebihan KKDW

Umno leaders have criticized DAP advisor Lim Guan Eng for alleging excessive spending by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW). Razlan Rafii, a senior Umno leader, contends that Lim's claims are unfounded and politically motivated, aiming to tarnish the reputation of Umno's president and deputy prime minister. KKDW, overseen by Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi, is accused of overspending RM2.1 billion from 2023 to 2025.

Razlan questions where Lim obtained the figure of RM2.1 billion, expressing doubt about its accuracy. He also requests the Perbendaharaan (Finance) head Johan Mahmood Merican to explain the statement to Lim. Umno demands the Finance Ministry to fully explain itself to Lim, who is a former Pakatan Harapan finance minister. Razlan accuses Lim's statement of being a politically motivated and malicious attack to create negative perceptions and discredit Umno's leadership ahead of the upcoming Melaka state election.

Recently, Zahid expressed frustration over delayed payments to contractors working on KKDW projects, with some contractors forced to seek alternative funding due to cash flow issues. Despite completing projects and reaching certain milestones, many contractors under his ministry still await payment. Johan also mentioned that contractors managing rural development projects are experiencing delays due to most of the ministry's rural infrastructure funding for the year already being allocated.

He noted that the ministry has consistently overspent on rural infrastructure projects since several years ago, with RM1.8 billion spent in 2023 compared to the RM1.1 billion budget, RM2 billion in 2024 compared to RM1.3 billion, and RM2.3 billion in 2025 compared to RM1.6 billion. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim subsequently instructed both ministries to discuss and resolve the issue amicably.