C4 questions use of foundation for RM150 mil laptop purchase for schools

 

The government has allocated RM150 million to purchase laptops for students in next year’s budget. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: An anti-corruption NGO has questioned several allocations in the annual budget, including RM150 million for the purchase of laptops for students from 500 schools.

Calling for more transparency in the use of taxpayer funds, the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) said the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration should be held fully accountable for the process of implementing the budget.

In a statement, it raised doubts over Putrajaya’s plans for government-linked companies (GLCs) to contribute RM150 million to the Cerdik fund for the purchase of laptops for 150,000 students in 500 schools, under the supervision of Yayasan Hasanah.

“What is the purpose of having a foundation to oversee this project when the education ministry would be more knowledgeable about which schools would need the laptops, and be able to disburse the laptops accordingly?”

C4 said the annual returns of Yayasan Hasanah were not available for public viewing, making it difficult to know how much of the allocations were used for charitable purposes.

It added that it was unknown whether the procurement would go through an open tender process.

“Not having an open tender could lead to abuse in the use of the funds, such as the projects being handed over to companies unsuitable for the task.

“Examples of this include how a number of companies were given contracts to provide equipment to the government to combat Covid-19. The companies had no prior experience in making such equipment and were instead allegedly linked to high-ranking officials.”

C4 also urged the government to provide more transparency on the allocations for national infrastructure projects, saying it could build public confidence in the  administration.

“It is clear that there remains a need for a visible and transparent money and audit trail, especially when it comes to matters concerning taxpayers’ funds.

“C4 strongly urges the PN administration that it must be fully accountable, not only for the allocation of national funds, but also the process of utilising them when implementing the national budget.”

On Friday, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz tabled the annual budget, a first for the PN government since taking over Putrajaya in March this year.

A total of RM322.5 billion was allocated for 2021, some RM7.8 billion more than the previous year’s budget of RM314.7 billion.

Around RM236.5 billion has been allocated for operational expenditure, RM69 billion for development and RM17 billion for the Covid-19 fund. - FMT