Finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan speaks during the winding-up debate on the 2027 budget in the Dewan Rakyat today. (Bernama pic)KUALA LUMPUR: The rural and regional development ministry diverted funds from other agencies and programmes to cover the cost of rural roads after making commitments beyond its approved allocations, says finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan.
Amir said the ministry, headed by deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, had committed to more rural road spending than the amount approved since 2023, leaving contractors waiting to be paid.
The internal shuffling of funds affected the community development department (Kemas), Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) and the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda), as well as rural water and electricity supply projects.
