Anwar defends RM6.13mil allocation for Tapah development projects

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government’s stance on the use of government machinery or allocations from the time of nomination until polling day is clear. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today defended the announcement of RM6.13 million for development projects in Tapah by housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming, saying it was made before nomination day for the Ayer Kuning by-election.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the government’s stance was clear that the use of government machinery or allocations from the time of nomination until polling day is not permitted.

“That (announcement) was made before nominations. If it was made after that (the nomination), we would have to issue a warning… it’s not allowed,” Bernama quoted him as telling reporters after the finance ministry’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya today.

Last Thursday, Nga said his ministry had allocated RM6.13 million this year for 33 projects in Tapah, including upgrades to public toilets, food courts, community halls, and the installation of LED streetlights.

The announcement was criticised by some, including Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s candidate for the by-election, Bawani KS, who said such allocations should have been made at a different time.

She claimed that the timing of the announcement, so close to the campaign period, amounted to bribery.

The Election Offences Act 1954 prohibits the offer of bribes before, during and after elections.

Yesterday, Tapah MP M Saravanan said that development projects for constituencies should be announced well in advance to prevent constituents from feeling that areas represented by unity government MPs were being neglected.

Commenting on Nga’s announcement of the RM6.13 million for development and infrastructure in Tapah, the MIC deputy president said the timing of it was “too late”. - FMT