KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has refused to retract his statement on the RM2.1 billion discrepancy involving the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW), insisting that he was speaking the truth.
Wee, the Ayer Hitam MP, was responding to Kampar MP Chong Zhemin's demand that he retract the statement within 24 hours or face a referral to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee.
"If the Kampar MP asks me to retract my statement, my answer is: impossible. Because I am speaking the truth," he told reporters outside the Dewan Rakyat today.
During yesterday's parliamentary Budget debate, Wee sought a clearer explanation for the RM2.1 billion difference between KKDW's approved allocations and actual expenditure from 2023 to 2025, stressing that the discrepancy should not automatically be construed as embezzlement.
Chong subsequently gave Wee 24 hours to retract his statement, warning that he would refer the Ayer Hitam MP to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee if he failed to comply.
On Oct 6, Chong lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the discrepancy involving the ministry's spending.
He also called for an investigation into Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's role as the minister responsible, particularly in relation to expenditure under the rural roads programme.
Wee said Chong's demand for a retraction and apology was unwarranted as he had been explaining the budgetary process rather than alleging that funds had gone missing.
He said ministries could adjust allocations within their approved limits, while requests to increase development expenditure ceilings required approval from the relevant authorities.
"Adjustments can be made within the ministry. Usually, the KSU (secretary-general) will discuss with the KSP (Treasury secretary-general)," he said.
Wee said ministries could seek adjustments when project costs increased, provided the requests were supported by justifications and went through the necessary approval process.
He cited the Economic Planning Unit and the Economy Ministry as among the authorities involved in reviewing requests to raise expenditure ceilings.
He added that ministry development committees, chaired by their respective secretaries-general, scrutinised project progress, including whether projects were delayed, on schedule or ahead of schedule.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd