Guan Eng's call for action against Zahid on KKDW 'overspending' politically motivated

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's political secretary has accused DAP's Lim Guan Eng of making a "malicious" statement, saying there is no such thing as "overspending" in the Rural and Regional Development Ministry's accounts.

Datuk Mohd Razlan Muhammad Rafii, who is also an Umno supreme council member, said Lim should have been more careful and responsible as a former finance minister.

"What is his basis for using the term 'overspending' involving the RM2.1 billion figure? Did he take the figure from an earlier statement by the treasury secretary-general (Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican)?

"If so, did he seek an explanation on the meaning and actual context of the statement before drawing a conclusion?" he said in a statement.

Razlan asked the treasury secretary-general to clarify the earlier statement to Lim so that it would not continue to be misinterpreted.

He said the Finance Ministry should also take full responsibility and provide a clear and thorough explanation to avoid confusion among the public.

"In my view, Lim Guan Eng's statement was malicious and deliberately meant to create a negative perception of the ministry's leadership," he said.

He said the call for action was also politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing the name of the Umno president ahead of the Melaka election.

Razlan advised Lim to reflect on himself before making such demands.

"He should focus on his own case in court before pointing fingers at others," he said.

Earlier today, Lim reiterated his call for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the purported over-expenditure of the ministry, helmed by Zahid.

He earlier made the call on Sept 4.

On Sept 7, Zahid said the ministry will not spend beyond its government-approved allocation.