DAP: Mystery funds worth RM7bil in PM Dept's budget

DAP's Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong has described at least RM6.8 billion of the Prime Minister Department's 2014 budget as "near slush funds", alleging that the funds had scant details and were meant for political purposes.

This includes a RM4 billion "facilitation fund", a RM1 billion "development programme", and RM900 million for "community restructuring".

No specific details were made available for these projects under the detailed federal expenditure budget, Liew (right) revealed.

He also said that Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala was wrong to say that the Prime Minister's Department's ever increasing RM 16.5 billion budget for 2014 was justified.

"Malaysia does not practice a presidential system. Our constitution provides for a parliamentary democracy with a collective responsibility of a cabinet, of which the Prime Minister is the first among equals. But the PMD is now usurping the roles of other ministries," he said.

The other questionable items, Liew said, include a RM200 million fund for "special projects", and "people-friendly project" for RM665 million.

"The entire budget is filled with such discretionary black holes that can easily be turned into slush funds," Liew said in a statement delivered in Parliament today.

He also said that it was unjustifiable to increase the Prime Minister's Department expenditure by 13 percent compared to the 2013 budget, when the overall budget tabled last Friday was only increased by 1.3 per cent.

The RM4 billion facilitation fund, in particular, has been on the increase ever since it was introduced in the 2011 budget.

It had a RM1 billion allocation in 2011, which was then increased to RM 2.5 billion for both the 2012 and 2013 budgets.

Liew urged Idris Jala to explain the usage of these funds to the public, while also asking for the National Audit Department to look into this matter.