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PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli (pic) said Putrajaya had approved the grant application by NSE Resources Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd through a letter signed by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin, on January 21.
According to Rafizi, the grant was for the development of a gasifier steam boiler plant.
The approval letter from the ministry apparently referred to a letter from Najib's office dated November 21 last year, after NSE Resources wrote to the prime minister on November 15.
Rafizi claimed the award of the grant goes against existing procedures and regulations, pointing out that the maximum amount given for a project is RM2 million under the Technology Acquisition Fund (TAF).
He said R&D grants were given for commercialisation and technology development purposes and not for a commercial project.
"This is one of the biggest grants given out so far. We do not know the extent of interference as the allocation for R&D grants is huge at RM1.1 billion," he said at a press conference at the PKR headquarters today.
The implication of this, said the Pandan MP, is that NSE Resources does not need to repay the money given to them.
"We have seen how loans were given to NFC and they do not have to return a single sen to the government, what else RM100 million which is given in the form of a grant," he said, referring to the RM250 million National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) cattle scandal that led to the resignation of Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil from the cabinet.
In claiming that he had proof, Rafizi said he would wait for a reply from both Najib and Ewon on the matter.
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