Dr Mahathir Mohamad has challenged Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz to publish the full list of 101 projects worth RM6.61 billion that were allegedly approved by the Pakatan Harapan government during its 22 months in power.

The former prime minister called on Zafrul to release the list of projects including the names of those who received them.

"It was unfortunate that Zafrul did not list down the projects in detail (when he spoke about the matter in Parliament).

"To ensure that the principle of transparency is practised, I would like to call for the minister to announce the list of these projects, alongside the names of those who got the approval regardless of who they are.

"The sincerity of the finance minister in this matter is really welcomed. The people have a right to get the full information regarding this issue," Mahathir said in a statement today.

Tunku Zafrul Abdul Aziz

Yesterday, Zafrul during his speech in Parliament claimed that 101 projects worth RM6.61 billion in total were approved by the Finance Ministry through direct negotiations under the former Harapan administration.

He made the claim when answering a question from Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan. However, Zafrul did not specify the details of the projects involved.

Earlier, former finance minister Lim Guan Eng made a similar call, claiming that if Zafrul revealed the details, it would expose some of the current Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders, including Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who was with Harapan in the past.

In a statement, Lim suggested that the ministry was unwilling to divulge further information because it would reveal sitting PN ministers who previously pushed for those direct-award contracts.