NATURAL Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has refuted allegations of corruption related to the awarding of flood mitigation projects, countering claims made by a Bersatu leader regarding inflated project costs.
“This government had reviewed proposals for high-priority flood mitigation projects to prioritise critical areas with a ceiling allocation to develop all 33 projects set by the Finance Ministry at RM11.8 bil, not RM16.6 bil,” he said in a statement today.
The previous government had initially allocated RM15 bil for flood mitigation works.
However, in November last year, the current administration halted RM7 bil in contracts for flood mitigation projects alleging that they were awarded through direct negotiation by the previous government.
Bersatu information committee member Badrul Hisham Shaharin also known as Chegubard, raised allegations of major kickbacks in the awarding of flood mitigation projects, asserting that costs had escalated to RM16.6 bil.
“Chegubard’s accusations are without basis and show that he does not understand the government’s procurement process,” stated Nik Nazmi, dismissing Chegubard’s claims as malicious and unfounded.
The minister also clarified that most flood mitigation projects this year are still in the tender process, with only 19 offer letters of award (LOA) issued. Nik Nazmi highlighted that there has been no expenditure from the allocated development expenditure.
Furthermore, he underscored that the flood mitigation projects undergo a transparent procurement process overseen by the Finance Ministry and the procurement board, with which he is not directly involved.
“I strongly deny the malicious slander and will be taking civil action against him (Chegubard) soon.” – Dec 21, 2023
Main photo credit: The Star
