The Penang government has rejected allegations of fund misappropriation involving a RM500,000 fishermen voucher redemption programme, following a police report lodged by eight suppliers over delayed payments.
State Rural Development, Agrotechnology, Food Security and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman Rashidi Zinol said the delays were caused by technical and administrative procedures involving several agencies, and not due to any misuse of funds.
“There is no misappropriation, and I deny the allegation,” he said during the state legislative assembly sitting on Friday.
Under the programme, fishermen redeem vouchers for equipment such as fishing nets from approved suppliers, who later claim reimbursement from the state government.
The issue arose after traders claimed that payments, which were supposed to be settled within two weeks after verification, had been delayed for more than a year, affecting their cash flow and business operations.
The suppliers also noted that a similar programme in 2019 had proceeded smoothly, with payments made on schedule without any complications.
Rashidi said that out of the RM500,000 allocation, RM293,000 has already been disbursed to participating companies.
He added that the remaining RM207,000 involves coordination between the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) and the State Development Office (BPEN), which recently required procedural adjustments before funds could be released.
According to him, six of the eight companies will receive payments first as they have completed all required documentation, while the remaining two must still fulfil licensing and paperwork requirements.
To assist the process, he said a special officer has been appointed to help companies complete outstanding documentation, including personnel familiar with previous administrative arrangements.
Rashidi added that although the state government had initially aimed to complete payments last week, certain procedures had to be properly regularised before disbursement could proceed.
He expressed confidence that payments for eligible companies will be finalised by next week and said the state has no objection to any police investigation, maintaining that no misappropriation had taken place.
