{
  "id": 17556223,
  "title": "Zahid hopes govt can settle RM259.5mil in outstanding rural project payments",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/zahid-hopes-govt-can-settle-rm259-5mil-in-outstanding-rural-project",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T07:23:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/11/1568266/zahid-hopes-govt-can-settle-rm2595mil-outstanding-rural-project"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian government faces the challenge of settling RM259.5 million in unpaid rural development project payments, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The outstanding payments, which date back to previous years, involve 112 completed projects. Zahid emphasized the need for efforts to secure funds for these completed projects and also addressed the issue of progress payments due to contractors and suppliers. He mentioned that the ministry has already identified projects awaiting payment and plans to secure funds towards the end of the year. Additionally, outstanding interim payments totaling RM259.503 million to contractors and landowners remain unpaid as of September 30, 2021, according to Zahid's press secretary, Fadzmel Fadzil. These arrears have led to the use of existing internal allocations, impacting the implementation of other programmes such as housing projects for the poor and Orang Asli communities, which had an allocation of RM200 million.",
  "summary": "BAGAN DATUK: The government must find a way to settle RM259.5 million in outstanding payments for rural development projects, particularly those completed by contractors who have yet to be paid.",
  "key_points": [
    "Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi faces RM259.5 million in unpaid rural project payments.",
    "112 completed projects remain unpaid, with funds needed by year-end."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Zahid: Rural and Regional Development Ministry aims to clear RM259.5m in project arrears by year-end",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/zahid-rural-and-regional-development-ministry-aims-to-clear-rm259-5m",
        "published": "2026-11-01T09:12:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}