The Local Government and Housing Ministry has decided to terminate the services of Penggerak Komuniti Tempatan (PeKT - local community mobilisers) members effective early 2022, due to budget constraints.
The PeKT was established in June 2020 by former minister Zuraida Kamaruddin (above) and had been linked by her critics to the similarly named Penggerak Komuniti Negara (PKN) NGO that she was associated with.
A letter signed by current minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican that Malaysiakini sighted states that the government was terminating the PeKT programme so that funds could be re-allocated.
"As you are aware, the country is facing unprecedented challenges due to phenomena such as the spread of Covid-19 and the recent floods.
"Based on this current situation, government allocations for 2022 will be focused more comprehensively on more critical sectors to help ease the people's burdens.
"In light of this, with a heavy heart it is informed that the ministry can't continue the services of PeKT members," Reezal Merican said in the letter dated Dec 29.
Malaysiakini has contacted Reezal Merican for further comment.
It is understood that PeKT's tenure was supposed to expire only on Dec 31 next year.
Under Budget 2022, RM8.57 million had been allocated for PeKT, and RM8.63 million the year before that.
In 2020, Zuraida said that RM2.6 million had been allocated for the unit.
Zuraida was reshuffled to the commodities portfolio and replaced with Reezal Merican when Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob took office.
PeKT's mandate was to help empower communities in terms of cleanliness, security, environmental protection and property management. - Mkini
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