Two Negeri Sembilan Urimai representatives have lodged a report with the MACC on June 30, alleging abuse of power and misuse of public funds involving RM3.06 million in state allocations disbursed shortly before the state assembly was dissolved.
In a statement the same day, Sarawanan Nagayah and Mahendran Ramasamy said the funds were channelled to 17 constituencies, matching the number of Pakatan Harapan-held seats in Negeri Sembilan.
“The Negeri Sembilan state legislative assembly was dissolved on June 5…
“A day prior to the dissolution… the office of the menteri besar of Negeri Sembilan issued an official letter informing that a sum of RM180,000 had been transferred via electronic funds transfer to a state assemblyperson,” they said.
Based on the RM180,000 allocation per constituency cited in the letter, the total for 17 constituencies would amount to RM3.06 million.
They said that, according to the letter, the funds were for the welfare of constituents from July to September, inferring that the funds were meant for use during the election.
The duo also shared a photo of the purported letter signed by Azmi Abdul Manap, senior private secretary to caretaker menteri besar Aminuddin Harun.
The amount was purportedly for welfare programmes and aid disbursement, with instructions for an expenditure report to be submitted to the menteri besar’s office before July 10.
“Questions arise as to under what capacity they were permitted to receive, manage, and spend government funds for their respective constituencies after the dissolution.
“More concerningly, only 17 constituencies were selected to receive this allocation. This raises questions as to whether state funds were selectively disbursed to confer an advantage to incumbents or to Harapan during the election period,” said the duo.
They requested that the MACC investigate the matter, which they said may constitute an offence under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009, the Election Offences Act 1954, among other laws.
‘Not a fool’
Malaysiakini reached out to Aminuddin’s office and was directed to a ceramah video, in which he defended the allocations, saying they were made before the assembly’s dissolution.
“Before the dissolution, we did provide the allocation, and who did we give it to? Surely I’m not going to give it to them, am I? I’d be a fool if I did…
“They wanted to pull the brakes. They said they no longer supported me. Then, when I gave it to others, to Harapan, they got angry. What is that all about?“
Aminuddin said this in an apparent reference to the Umno assemblypersons who withdrew their support for him as menteri besar.
The Negeri Sembilan state election is set for Aug 1.
Nga under fire, Anwar douses backlash
Separately, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming faced criticism over announcements made close to the Johor polls, totalling RM216.44 million for housing development, public amenities, and community welfare in the state.
This included RM2.5 million for renovations at Flat Taman Ungku Tun Aminah in Skudai. This was then used as campaign material for DAP’s Skudai candidate, J Kartiyani.
Last year, Nga made a similar announcement ahead of the Ayer Kuning by-election, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim coming to his defence.
Yesterday, Anwar once again defended Nga in the Dewan Rakyat, saying it was not an election offence because it had already been approved in the budget tabled last year.
He also said he received confirmation from the Election Commission that only the announcement of new projects is not allowed during campaigns. However, he said announcing projects before nomination day, as Nga did, is allowed.
The Johor state election is set for July 11. - Mkini
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