{
  "id": 5310970,
  "title": "KKDW denies unilateral spending claims over rural road projects",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/kkdw-denies-unilateral-spending-claims-over-rural-road-projects",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T11:03:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1525114/kkdw-denies-unilateral-spending-claims-over-rural-road-projects"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The rural and regional development ministry (KKDW) has refuted claims of making unilateral financial decisions regarding rural road projects. Press secretary Fadzmel Fadzil clarified that project approvals and allocations are governed by established government procedures. The Ministry of Economy approves project approvals, while the Ministry of Finance (MoF) determines allocations. KKDW's role is to apply for and hold rural road allocations, which are then handed over to the Public Works Department (JKR) for technical and procurement processes. KKDW does not make unilateral commitments; JKR possesses the expertise to manage procurement. Between 2016 and 2026, KKDW approved 517 new rural road projects worth RM36.6 billion, while annual allocations from MoF during the same period amounted to approximately RM12 billion. The approval of new projects is crucial, as rural development needs change based on local economic pressures, geographical factors, and urgent post-disaster requirements. In 2024 alone, 79 new projects worth nearly RM6.9 billion were approved. Some excess commitments reflected in MoF's expenditure records are deferred payments carried forward from 2019 to 2021, not new spending. KKDW only implements projects according to allocations approved by Parliament. For instance, a RM300 million project under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) with an annual ceiling of RM60 million under the Rolling Plan (RP) could face financial liabilities if tender delays occur, but this liability can be settled through internal transfers. KKDW settles outstanding payments to contractors through internal transfers before issuing warrants to JKR for payment. However, from 2022 to 2025, rural road projects' expenditure remained within the revised allocations available. KKDW does not independently create projects but submits applications subject to MoF's budget screening process before allocations are handed over to JKR. The ministry hopes to clarify these factors to prevent continuous politicization and misinterpretation of the government's administrative affairs and procedures.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The rural and regional development ministry (KKDW) has denied allegations that it made unilateral financial commitments or “spent as it pleased” over excess commitments for rural road projects.",
  "key_points": [
    "KKDW denies making unilateral spending decisions on rural road projects.",
    "Project approvals and allocations governed by government procedures.",
    "MoF determines allocations, JKR manages procurement."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}