Differing views among ministries don’t mean govt is split, says Anwar

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim clarified that differing perspectives among ministries do not signify a government split. According to him, variances in opinions or methodologies represent routine deliberations considering each department's unique duties and objectives. The objective is to ensure effective policy and decision-making for the government's agenda.

In a written parliamentary reply, Anwar emphasized that significant matters necessitating collective decision-making will be presented to the Cabinet for review and endorsement. Responding to a query raised by Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut), Anwar addressed the conflicting responses provided by the finance ministry and the rural and regional development ministry regarding certain issues.

The finance ministry, under Anwar's leadership, and the rural and regional development ministry recently clashed over funds related to the latter. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who also serves as the rural and regional development minister, expressed dissatisfaction over delayed payments to contractors engaged in ministry projects, citing instances where certain contractors had to close down due to cash flow problems.

Treasury Secretary-General Johan Mahmood Merican subsequently explained that contractors handling rural development projects faced payment delays because a significant portion of the ministry's rural road allocation for the year had already been utilized. Zahid refuted claims that his ministry had overspent its budget, stating that projects in Sabah and Sarawak were suspended based on the orders of the ministry's secretary-general, despite funds being allocated for them.

However, Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Minister Mustapha Sakmud dismissed these claims as unfounded, asserting that the projects were simply placed on hold.