WHAT IS THIS? 'RM10.2 bil additional funds request but no details'

The government cannot spend more than what has been approved by the parliament, even if the amount exceeds a ringgit, said PAS's Kuala Selangor member of parliament Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Referring to the second request for supplementary funding for 2011 recently tabled by deputy Finance minister Donald Lim, Dzulkefly (pic) warned that there was always a penchant for overspending in the absence of any check on the expenditure before spending.

"We consulted two former ministers of Finance and they both noted that no one coud really check and balance them.

"No way you could check them before spending. Hence the penchant for over-spending," he said, adding that overspending had become synonymous with the Barisan Nasional administration.

Dzulkefly lamented the absence of any proper and detailed explanation with regard to the latest request for RM10.29 billion.

The figure includes some RM4 billion for Treasury general services, RM2.8 billion for contribution to statutory funds, RM782 million for the Public Services Department and RM621 million for the Health ministry.

"We could be wrong after all but at least the Dewan Rakyat has a right to explanation and clarification. The fact remains that many MPs don't scrutinise the numbers," he added.

Dzulkefly reminded the Finance ministry to observe fiduciary responsibility in spending, adding that it was only allowed to spend what were mandated during the budget as well as the contingent operational fund of RM1.5 billion and emergency reserves for development of RM2 billion.

However, he said when the costs including operational funds for the Election Commission, Prime Minister's Department, Public Services Department, Treasury and others were added together, the amount was RM3.1 billion, exceeding the RM1.5 billion approved for the purpose.

"We questioned where the remaining RM1.6 billion would come from, but the minister failed to give a proper reply. Instead, he accused us of not understanding the issue. Even worse, the deputy Speaker was quick to agree with the deputy (Finance) minister," said Dzulkefly.

Dzulkefly said the matter must be raised as one could not hope for BN MPs, who he described as "yes-men", to question how public money was being spent.

-Harakahdaily