Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has rejected claims that he is politicising the issue of delayed payments to contractors, saying his concerns are based on facts and realities faced on the ground.
He said the issue deserved attention as payment delays were putting pressure on contractors and suppliers while potentially disrupting infrastructure projects serving rural communities.
“When politicians speak about any issue, it will become a political issue.”
“But I had no intention of politicising this matter. What I raised was based on facts and the reality in front of us,” he told Sinar Ahad.
Ahmad Zahid said he was responsible for a major ministry whose interests, including those of its stakeholders, must be prioritised.
He stressed that delays could have wider consequences for rural residents, particularly if infrastructure projects involving roads, water or electricity supplies were affected.
“How can we ensure that infrastructure, especially roads, water supply and electricity, reaches them?” he said.
The issue arose after Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican was reported to have said that the full allocation for the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) had already been channelled, while difficulties in paying contractors were due to the funds having been fully spent.
Johan also said the Finance Ministry had approved an additional RM300 million to help settle outstanding payments to contractors.
Following the statement, KKDW ministerial press secretary Fadzmel Fadzil said the Treasury secretary-general’s remarks were inaccurate and did not reflect the ministry’s actual financial situation.
Ahmad Zahid said the issue of payments to contractors and suppliers should not be viewed as a problem affecting KKDW alone, arguing that similar issues should also be examined across other ministries and agencies.
He added that he had raised the matter several times previously, both verbally and through letters that he had personally submitted.
“I do not want, during my time serving in the ministry, to be regarded as having failed when the funds did not reach us for us to settle the payments owed to them,” he said.
