SEMPORNA- Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has denied there was misappropriation in the implementation of the People's Welfare Development Scheme in Penang as alleged by its chief minister Lim Guan Eng.
He said the scheme was implemented in 2009 in accordance with the rules and procedures set to help the hardcore poor.
“I as the Rural and Regional Development Minister responsible (for the scheme), wish to state that the allegation is incorrect. The aid for the recipients in Penang had been disbursed in the best possible way.
“There was no misappropriation. What was alleged (by Lim) was politically motivated, to tarnish the image of the Penang Umno leadership (headed by Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman).”
Shafie was commenting on Zainal Abidin's statement to the press in which he refuted Lim's allegation that only 22 participants of the scheme (Skim Pembangunan Kesejahteraan Rakyat - SPKR) received RM1.1 million in aid from the ministry. Zainal Abidin had clarified that in 2009, the aid was given to 990 poor people from all over the state and out of this number, 22 were from Nibong Tebal.
He said RM1.1mil was part of the total aid of RM22.9mil channelled by the ministry for various SPKR projects in Penang from 2008 to 2012 to assist 3,938 poor and hardcore poor in the state.
On water supply to the Orang Asli community in Bera, Pahang affected by broken pipes, Shafie advised residents in a number of villagers affected to be patient as the ministry was taking action to solve the problem.
“I have informed the matter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and have discussed with the member of parliament concerned and the contractor on the problem. I have been given until the end of this month to coordinate the project,” he said.
Shafie said the problem (delay) was because of the arising issue involving payment between the main contractor and sub-contractor in implementing the project.
- Bernama
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