Nasib projek luar bandar tertangguh di tangan Kementerian Kewangan, kata Rubiah

Rubiah, the deputy minister of the Ministry of Finance, explained that the decision to delay the Standard Settlement of Tender (SST) by the Ministry of Finance was made to stabilize the financial situation of the Ministry of Development and Rural Areas (KKDW). In Kuala Lumpur, Rubiah stated that the government is adhering to the decision of the Ministry of Finance to postpone all pending SSTs, including those awaiting publication and projects ready for tender.

The government has not provided a timeline for this decision, which is valid for only two to three months, according to Rubiah in the House of Representatives. This means that within six months, if no further endorsement is obtained from the Ministry of Finance, the project is likely to be canceled, and a new process will have to begin.

Responding to Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar), who asked for confirmation whether there are any development projects in Sabah that have been canceled or only delayed due to the withholding of SST endorsement, Rubiah clarified that the Ministry of Finance's delay in publishing SST was aimed at stabilizing the financial position of the Ministry of Development and Rural Areas, particularly regarding the allocation of funds.

Rubiah predicted that such actions might occur within two to three years unless immediate action is taken. In line with the Rancangan Malaysia Ke-13 (RMK13) guidelines, the risk of cancellation for a project that cannot be tendered or implemented within two years is high. In the previous month, Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi informed the House of Representatives that several projects in Sabah and Sarawak approved for the current year were postponed at the direction of the KKDW chief, despite the allocation already being in place.

Zahid, who is also the minister for Development and Rural Areas, stated that SST already submitted to contractors has also been canceled. However, Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan emphasized that the government only delays the publication of new SST until payment to the contractor is settled, adding that no published documents have been canceled so far.

On Tuesday, Zahid reiterated his statement that the postponement or cancellation of SST for related projects is accurate, while expressing his readiness to present documentary evidence of the official order concerning this matter. Today, RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) urged Zahid to present a statement confirming that development projects in Sabah and Sarawak have been canceled.