<p /><p>KUALA LUMPUR: A dispute over whether rural projects were sacrificed to fund the Rural Road Programme sparked heated exchanges in the Dewan Rakyat.
Key takeaways
A dispute in Malaysia's Dewan Rakyat arose after conflicting statements regarding whether rural projects were defunded to support the Rural Road Programme. MP Chong Zhemin sought to invoke Standing Order 36(12) against Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, but the Speaker directed him to file a formal motion instead.
- Chong Zhemin cited conflicting statements from Deputy PM Zahid and Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah regarding project funding.
- Zahid claimed no projects were sacrificed, while the Finance Ministry indicated reallocation reduced other programmes.
- Speaker Johari Abdul rejected Chong's immediate invocation of Standing Order 36(12) and instructed him to file a motion.
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KUALA LUMPUR: A dispute over whether rural projects were sacrificed to fund the Rural Road Programme sparked heated exchanges in the Dewan Rakyat.
Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar) invoked Standing Order 36(12), which covers members of parliament (MPs) who mislead the House, and called for the MP concerned to be referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee.
Chong said he had asked Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during the rural and regional development ministry's winding-up on Oct 26 which projects would be sacrificed if a notice of change was used to reallocate funds.
According to the Hansard, Zahid replied: "Not a single project was sacrificed, none, none."
