Zahid given until Nov 12 to justify rural funding claims amid alleged contradictions

KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul has requested Deputy Prime Minister and Rural and Regional Development Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to clarify conflicting statements regarding the alleged sacrifice of rural development projects to fund other initiatives. Johari, who shared the letter with Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar) during a press conference, requested that Zahid provide an explanation, backed by pertinent evidence or documents, by Thursday, November 12.

Johari expressed hope that the matter would be resolved and noted that if Zahid's statement caused confusion in the House, he could retract it and offer an explanation.

During his closing remarks on the ministry's 2027 Budget on October 26, Chong had inquired about which projects were sacrificed if a Notice of Change (NOC) was utilized to secure funding. According to the official Parliament Hansard, Zahid stated that no projects had been sacrificed. However, Chong contended that this statement contradicted a claim made by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan during the Finance Ministry's winding-up session on October 29.

Amir Hamzah explained that financial management procedures permit funds to be redirected through an NOC to satisfy project requirements. Nonetheless, he also asserted that the rise in allocations for the Rural Road Programme (JALB) led to decreased allocations for other programs.

Subsequently, on November 2, Johari addressed the House, requesting Chong to submit a motion pertaining to the allegedly conflicting statements after Chong raised the issue during the committee-stage debate on the 2027 Supply Bill.