Rural and regional development minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said if the amended allocations are compared, the ministry had in fact underspent. (Bernama pic)KUALA LUMPUR: Rural and regional development minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today explained that the alleged RM2.1 billion in excess expenditure represented the difference between the ministry’s initial allocation and its actual spending over three years.
Zahid, who is the deputy prime minister, said a total of RM6.108 billion was spent between 2023 and 2025.
The ministry, on the other hand, had been initially allocated RM3.982 billion. The sum was later amended to RM6.143 billion.
“When we compare the amended allocations, the ministry has in fact underspent,” he said when winding up the 2027 budget debate in the Dewan Rakyat.
