We’ll probe ministry’s overspending if there’s a complaint, says MACC

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is prepared to investigate allegations of RM2.1 billion in overspending by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) if a formal complaint is received, according to Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman, the commission's chief commissioner. MACC has not yet received any official complaint regarding the matter, which came to their attention through media reports.

MACC chief commissioner Abd Halim stated that they only became aware of the allegations through the mass media and have not yet received any official complaint concerning the RM2.1 billion excess spending. He added that it is not appropriate for him to comment on the matter until an official complaint is received. The allegation was reported by the DAP advisor Lim Guan Eng, who urged the MACC to take action against the ministry.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had denied the allegations, stating that the ministry's expenditure is based on the allocations stated in the government's budget or the amounts approved by the government.