KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today dismissed claims that his ministry overspent by RM2.1 billion, saying the figure reflected the difference between its original allocation and revised spending ceiling over three years.
Winding up the 2027 Budget debate in the Dewan Rakyat, Zahid said the ministry spent RM6.108 billion between 2023 and 2025, against a revised allocation of RM6.143 billion after additional funding was approved, Free Malaysia Today reported.
“When we compare the amended allocations, the ministry has in fact underspent,” he was quoted as saying.
The explanation follows calls by DAP Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng last month for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate what he described as excess spending by the ministry.
