Overspending issue resolved, says senior finance ministry official

Treasury deputy secretary general (policy) Zamzuri Abdul Aziz confirmed that the issue of alleged overspending by the rural and regional development ministry has been resolved. Following an event at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, Zamzuri addressed reporters regarding the matter. The issue was brought to light by DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng, who warned the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the over-expenditure by the ministry, which he claimed amounted to RM2.1 billion from 2023 to 2025.

Lim suggested that this expenditure was comparable to the RM260 million injection into UiTM Holdings Sdn Bhd without the finance minister's approval, as revealed by the Public Accounts Committee. Zahid Hamidi, the deputy prime minister and UMNO president, dismissed the allegation, arguing that Lim's remarks were politically motivated and aimed at damaging his image ahead of the Melaka polls.

Zahid also expressed frustration over delayed payments to contractors for ministry projects, citing cash flow issues. The Treasury secretary-general, Johan Mahmood Merican, later explained that contractors faced delays due to the ministry's excessive spending on rural road projects, with RM1.8 billion spent in 2023, RM2 billion in 2024, and RM2.3 billion in 2025, exceeding their approved allocations.