Sejati Madani funds allegedly diverted by political leaders, victims speak out

 

The Sejahtera Komuniti Madani (Sejati Madani) programme, launched in March 2024, provides funding of up to RM100,000 to eligible communities to support activities aimed at boosting local socio-economic development.

It is designed to foster growth in sectors such as agriculture, livestock farming, tailoring and handicrafts, herbs and health, tourism and hospitality, as well as environmental initiatives.

However, allegations have surfaced that certain politicians are “cashing in” by allegedly offering intermediary services as consultants to help secure the funds.

Malaysiakini spoke to two alleged victims.

‘Consultancy services’

The first, a man in his 70s who wished to be known only as Azman, was appointed chairperson of the Federal Village Development and Security Committee of a village in Kuala Terengganu after registering as a member of a political party in 2024. The party is part of the federal government.

He was later briefed about the Sejati Madani programme and agreed with his committee members to undertake an onion cultivation project.

Azman claimed that several individuals, who were also state-level party leaders, offered “consultancy services” to help obtain approval for nearly RM100,000 in funding.

He said the individuals “assisted” the committee by preparing the proposal and application for the funding while also promising to handle the preparation of facilities for the onion cultivation project.

“We didn’t know how to prepare proposals and documentation for the application. So we placed full trust in these individuals because they were party leaders who wanted to help.

“Initially, everything started well and close to RM100,000 funding was approved. About a week after the funds were obtained, in early October 2024, the individual gave us three invoices that needed to be paid immediately. He himself wrote three cheques to two different companies with a total amount of RM98,475.50.

“So you could say that almost the entire RM100,000 government funding was taken. Only a little over RM1,000 was left in the committee bank account.

“After several months, I discovered that some work had not been done as promised and the supplies were not delivered according to the quoted prices, which were also excessively high. The onion harvest only generated tens of ringgit,” he told Malaysiakini.

Funds nearly gone

He added that four months later, the project could not continue because nearly all the funds had allegedly been taken by the individual through the two companies.

Feeling deceived, Azman said that he investigated the ownership of the companies that received the three cheques and discovered they were owned by two individuals who were also party leaders.

“Following this, I lodged reports with the police and MACC. I was also called to give my statement to the MACC.

“However, until today, there has been no update on the case,” said Azman, who was also dismissed from his position as committee chairperson after making the reports.

Last week, an Amanah leader urged the MACC to investigate allegations of misuse of funds under the Sejati Madani programme.

Amanah national committee member Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad said he had received several complaints regarding such projects in Terengganu, alleging that individuals holding political positions at the state level had diverted funds meant for low-income participants.

Project fails

Another victim, who wished to be known only as Abdullah, in his 60s, faced a similar modus operandi while trying to run a vegetable farming project with villagers using Sejati Madani funds.

He said RM99,858 of the funds were taken by the same individuals through the same two companies, causing the project to fail due to depleted funds.

“You could say almost all the funds were fully used (taken) and transferred to their companies’ accounts. I feel it was completely disproportionate to the services and project equipment they provided.

“Following that, I filed a MACC report in July last year, and the commission also took my statement. I fully cooperated so that the authorities could investigate the matter transparently,” he told Malaysiakini.

Malaysiakini has contacted party leaders linked to the allegations and is awaiting a response.

MACC finds no wrongdoing

Malaysiakini learned that Terengganu MACC had opened an investigation last year following allegations of misuse of Sejati Madani funds.

“The investigation paper was opened last year and the MACC found no offence committed under the MACC Act 2009,” the source said.

Terengganu MACC director Hazrul Shazreen Abd Yazid, when contacted, confirmed the matter.

He urged anyone with information or evidence regarding the alleged misuse of Sejati Madani funds to come forward and cooperate with investigators. - Mkini