Petaling Jaya PKR division chief Hee Loy Sian has defended the Prime Minister’s Department’s decision to entrust him with coordinating Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) applications for Petaling Jaya.
He said the arrangement was made to safeguard public interest based on administrative requirements and the government's confidence in the appointed individual, rather than on political position.
The former Petaling Jaya Selatan MP said that this refers to anyone recognised by the Prime Minister's Department and the ICU to facilitate such applications.
“I have been entrusted by the Prime Minister’s Department to assist with ICU allocation applications for the Petaling Jaya parliamentary constituency, in accordance with the established procedures,” he said in a statement.
Approval remains with ICU
Hee (above) also rejected claims that he had control over the constituency's RM3 million allocation, stressing that his role is limited to collecting and submitting applications while all approvals and disbursements remain under the ICU.
He further alleged that complaints over delays in Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung's handling of allocation applications, coupled with the latter's recent political conduct, had contributed to the government's decision to revise the arrangement.
PLAY THE GAME: Spend like an MP
Yesterday, Lee questioned whether constituency allocations for Petaling Jaya had effectively been placed under the management of PKR leadership.
He said the matter came to his attention after he received a screenshot purportedly showing Hee informing party members that ICU applications for minor works and financial assistance in the constituency could be referred to him.
Lee had questioned why applications were being coordinated by Hee, who is a party division chief, instead of an elected representative.
Lee is among three PKR MPs who have lost access to the MyKhas portal, which manages parliamentary constituency allocations under the Prime Minister's Department.
The statement from Hee is reproduced in full below:
Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung has questioned the capacity in which I am assisting with applications for allocations under the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department (ICU).
I therefore consider it necessary to explain the matter to the public.
Lee’s recent series of political choices and actions has given the party reasonable grounds to question whether he remains suitable to undertake an administrative coordination role that requires the government’s confidence.
What we are questioning is not Lee’s right to express dissenting views. Rather, the question is whether, in making those political choices, he gave sufficient consideration to his public responsibilities as an MP from a governing party, the impact of his decisions on the administrative arrangements in his constituency, and the actual interests of the people of Petaling Jaya.
1. ICU allocations are not an automatic entitlement for every MP
ICU allocations are not funds automatically distributed by Parliament to every Member of Parliament. They are special allocations from the Prime Minister, administered, assessed and disbursed by ICU.
Who may assist organisations in submitting applications is determined by the administrative arrangements of the Prime Minister’s Department, and not solely by virtue of a person’s status as an MP.
The Prime Minister’s Department may therefore determine who should be entrusted with coordinating and submitting such applications, based on the public interest, administrative requirements and the government’s confidence in the individual concerned.
Similarly, Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz’s role in handling allocation matters for the Pandan constituency arose from an administrative mandate given under this authority, and not from his status as a Member of Parliament.
2. Why is Lee Chean Chung no longer handling these matters?
Lee has recently participated on several occasions in activities associated with Parti Bersama Malaysia.
Despite having been elected to PKR’s central leadership council, he has hardly participated in the party’s meetings and decision-making processes, nor has he actively supported the Madani government.
He was given numerous opportunities to explain his actions. However, he responded to the questions raised by the party secretary-general in an extremely passive manner. The party leadership has consequently found it difficult to ascertain whether he continues to support the unity government and its policy direction.
Let me reiterate that the issue is not whether Lee is entitled to express differing views. The issue is that the responsibility concerned involves the coordination of public resources and requires the confidence of the government.
Should Petaling Jaya residents lodge complaints with PKR regarding Lee’s handling of allocation matters, and should the secretary-general then require him to provide an explanation, would he address those concerns proactively - or respond with the same passive attitude?
Each time he chooses to respond negatively and fails to demonstrate a responsible attitude, he further erodes the government’s confidence in holding him accountable. The government therefore has no reason to allow him to continue handling matters related to the allocation of funds.
3. The interests of Petaling Jaya voters will not be sacrificed
The allocations will not be arbitrarily cancelled or left unused because of questions surrounding Lee’s political judgement.
The Madani government will continue to ensure that the funds are used for community development and the everyday needs of Petaling Jaya residents.
Under the present plan, more than half of the allocation will be channelled towards minor infrastructure and community projects. The remainder will support community activities, repairs to public facilities and other essential services.
Over the past period, several residents’ associations, community organisations and religious bodies in Petaling Jaya have informed me that they did not receive clear or timely responses from Lee concerning the status of their allocation applications, requests for additional documentation and subsequent follow-up.
This includes cases in Taman Medan, where many residents’ associations and community leaders have said that Lee failed to provide timely updates on the progress of the allocation process. Applications for repair assistance submitted by several Hindu temples in the constituency have also allegedly gone unattended for a prolonged period.
What considerations informed Lee’s judgement, such that certain projects received allocations promptly while others did not?
Taken together, these circumstances have weakened the government’s confidence in continuing to entrust him with the coordination of these matters. The government therefore has a responsibility to adjust the existing arrangements and prevent further delays from affecting residents’ interests.
4. In what capacity am I assisting?
I have been entrusted by the Prime Minister’s Department to assist with ICU allocation applications for the Petaling Jaya parliamentary constituency, in accordance with the established procedures.
Lee has questioned whether I received this appointment merely because I am the PKR Petaling Jaya Division chief.
Perhaps Lee is unfamiliar with the history of his own constituency, or is simply unfamiliar with my background. He may therefore be unaware that I served two terms as the Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya Selatan and subsequently served as a member of the Selangor State Executive Council.
I consequently possess extensive knowledge of Petaling Jaya’s communities and their everyday needs.
The Prime Minister’s Department took into account my experience in Petaling Jaya affairs and has confidence that I will exercise sound and impartial judgement, ensuring that the allocations genuinely benefit the people.
5. I may assist with submissions, but I have no approval powers
Lee appears to suggest that the RM3 million allocation has been placed at my disposal to distribute as I please.
I wish to state categorically that this is not true.
Surely Lee is aware that, from the outset, all funds have remained under the administration of ICU, which is responsible for assessing, approving and disbursing them.
I have no authority to determine where the funds should go, nor can I interfere with the outcome of the approval process.
My role is limited to collecting applications from residents, community groups and legally registered organisations, and submitting the relevant documentation to the appropriate ICU department.
Furthermore, I am performing this work entirely on a voluntary basis. I do not receive any salary or allowance from the Prime Minister’s Department, nor will I derive any personal benefit from the allocation.
For every association or NGO whose application is approved, ICU will transfer the approved funds directly into the recipient organisation’s bank account. The money will not, at any stage, pass through my hands. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.