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KUALA LUMPUR – Caretaker finance minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz yesterday said that all procurement related to the alleged approval of a flood mitigation project made after the dissolution of Parliament had been made in accordance with existing regulations.
PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli had earlier claimed that the Environment and Water Ministry is in the process of awarding a RM2 billion project through direct negotiations to Mangkubumi Sdn Bhd, which is said to be owned by a person with links to the Umno leadership.
The company is also said to have obtained the approval from Tengku Zafrul via a letter dated October 7, the day of the tabling of Budget 2023 in Parliament.
In a post on Twitter yesterday, Tengku Zafrul challenged Rafizi to lodge a report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) if there was evidence of violations, as well as to present evidence and not wait after the 15th general election to take action.
Meanwhile, in Kuala Selangor, Tengku Zafrul said a task force involving relevant agencies such as the Irrigation and Drainage Department, state government, and the Environment and Water Ministry will be established to find a solution to the flood issue in Kuala Selangor.
Tengku Zafrul, who is also Barisan Nasional’s candidate for the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat, said the flood issue in Kuala Selangor requires a holistic approach so that it can be effectively overcome.
He said in Budget 2023, which he presented last month, the federal government had expressed its commitment to overcome flood issues by allocating RM15 billion for flood mitigation projects.
“This project is now in the evaluation phase for the purpose of appointing a contractor, however, this flood situation also involves the issue of maintaining the drainage system. Through a study by an independent body, it was found that as much as 30% of this issue is caused by drains and ditch systems that are clogged due to garbage and not maintained as scheduled,” he said.
Tengku Zafrul said this when met after visiting the flood relief centre at SMK Jeram here yesterday.
A total of 32 victims from six families were placed at the relief centre yesterday morning. – Bernama, November 13, 2022