Minister urges cops to probe falsehoods on flood mitigation project

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has urged the police to identify those who allegedly leaked classified government information concerning federal flood mitigation projects, which defamed him as well as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The natural resources, environment and climate change minister said in a statement that a police report has been lodged against several social media accounts on Facebook, TikTok, and Telegram that alleged the projects were approved without due process.

“This clearly caused the public who read the postings to have a perception that we have abused public funds for political gains.

“Therefore, I urge the police to swiftly identify the main perpetrator behind the false allegation, slander, and leak of confidential government information.

“I would also like to stress the government and my ministry’s commitment to the highest level of good governance and integrity,” he added.

Nik Nazmi (above), who is also PKR vice-president, made no reference to the social media accounts or exact information leaked.

However, PAS Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, as quoted by party mouthpiece Harakahdaily, cited an alleged viral letter purportedly from Nik Nazmi to Anwar that contained a list of “recommended companies” for inclusion in the flood mitigation project’s tender process.

“So my question is, since when did what was said to be an open tender process has suddenly became a selected open tender?” he was quoted as saying.

Fadhli also claimed the alleged recommendations had gone against Anwar’s promise for transparency and good governance.

“Remember, even when there is a classified stamp on this very clearly worded letter, there are civil servants who are clearly sick of the out-of-the-ordinary practice,” said Fadhli.

Anwar had in December last year, within less than a month in office, ordered a review of RM7 billion worth of approvals under the RM15 billion federal flood mitigation project that were conducted through direct negotiation instead of a tender process.

He at the time said a selective tendering process for the projects would save the government some RM1.8 billion. - Mkini