'Funds for housing residents used to fete minister'

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar today claimed that Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur’s (DBKL) funds allocated for public housing residents’ association activities last year were used up for events involving the minister of federal territories and urban well-being.

At a press conference in Bangsar today, Nurul Izzah (right) said her constituents have complained of being turned down by DBKL and told that the money had gone to “Raja Nong Chik’s (Zainal Abidin) programme”.

“When they called DBKL to use their allocation, they were told that it was used for a programme organised by Umno which invited the minister.

“But when we brought this matter up with DBKL, the mayor said that we have to bring the matter up to the ministry as he is only a civil servant,” she added.

No money left for resident association

Confirming this, Apartment Sri Putra resident association (RA) committee member Abdul Rahim Mohd Noor said a fire prevention programme planned for April 2011 was aborted for this reason.

“When we called the DBKL, an official said the allocation was used for two programmes (including) a ‘Raja Nong Chik (left) with locals’ event organised by the local Umno branch,” he said.

Abdul Rahim claimed the DBKL officer told him that the remainder portion of the RM10,000 in-kind assistance allocated for the RA was used for a maulidur rasul event organised by the local surau committee.

He said DBKL allocated a certain amount each year for RA activities, which is provided in the form of logistics and food.

Abdul Rahim added that this year’s allocation has been reduced to RM7,000 but the RA has yet to make any request.

Other MPs in Kuala Lumpur contacted byMalaysiakini said they have not received similar complaints.

The portal also tried to contact the relevant DBKL department by telephone and email for comments but has yet to receive any.