KUALA LUMPUR: Some RM5.7bil worth of projects under the Jana Wibawa programme has been halted temporarily until the procurement and expenditure procedures set by the Treasury are being followed, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Rural and Regional Development Minister said the Finance Ministry had ordered the temporary halt as some had been done through a direct tender or selected tender.
"The policy adopted by the Prime Minister, who is also the Finance Minister, is to review whether the procurement procedures involving each spending had followed the rules set by the Treasury.
"So, related to this matter, about RM5.7bil from these projects had been halted and my ministry had decided that the procedures set by the Treasury must be fully complied," said the Deputy Prime Minister.
Speaking at a press conference at the parliament's media centre on Wednesday (Feb 15), Ahmad Zahid then said that he will not compromise on the implementation of infrastructure projects in rural areas, including those in Sabah and Sarawak.
He said the relevant agencies in Sabah and Sarawak have been empowered to approve any development project worth RM50mil or less without needing approval from the federal level.
"I would like to stress that the ministry will not compromise in terms of the period of implementation of infrastructures in the rural areas, and we will still give priority to those that are affected by floods.
"For instance, damaged roads, bridges and houses will still be our priority and I have ordered our ministry officer to implement the projects immediately," he said.
