IPOH: The Perak government has denied claims that it allocated RM30mil to develop Chinese new villages in the state.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said there was no truth to the claim made by a non-governmental organisation activist during a talk in Bukit Katil, Melaka on Sept 3.
"The activist was sharing a stage with politicians from the Opposition, and created stories that the state approved the allocation after being pressured politically.
"The state has never approved any allocations as claimed," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Sept 11).
"It is an initiative by the Housing and Local Government Ministry, which is responsible for looking after the new villages' affairs, including upgrading facilities like roads and drains," he added.
Saarani was responding to a video clip of the matter that has gone viral.
Saarani said it was regrettable that the activist made such a statement on a political stage, intending to mislead the public about the state government.
"What is more worrying is that netizens accepted it blindly (and) negative... statements were hurled, causing racially-tinged debates on social media.
"For the record, the ministry was given the responsibility to develop infrastructure in Chinese new villages.
"The Federal Government, through relevant agencies under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry would develop rural areas.
"Last year, the Federal Government spent RM2.55bil on infrastructure in rural villages, including new roads, water and electricity supply, upgrading bridges and repairing roads," he said.
"The state always welcomes healthy discussions based on the truth, not baseless comments that twist facts and cause confusion among the people," he added.
