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SHAH ALAM - Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim has questioned a claim by Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh that he does not understand the basics of government finance.
Kamil said his earlier statement on the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) allocation was based on an official explanation from Treasury Secretary-General (KSP) Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican of the Finance Ministry (MOF) and was not quoted carelessly.
He, who is also political secretary to the Finance Minister, stressed that a media statement issued by the KSP himself on Wednesday clearly stated there were no restrictions on KKDW’s rural road project allocation and that it had in fact been fully disbursed.
According to him, payment constraints to contractors arose when the current year’s allocation was nearly exhausted.
“MOF’s figures are clear - in 2023, RM1.1 billion was allocated and RM1.8 billion was spent, while in 2024, RM1.3 billion was allocated and RM2 billion was spent.
“For 2025, RM1.6 billion was allocated and RM2.3 billion was spent. Three years running.
“If my statement, based on the KSP’s explanation, is considered as ‘not understanding the basics of government finance’, is Akmal also saying the KSP does not understand the basics of government finance?” he said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
Earlier, Dr Akmal criticised Kamil over the issue of KKDW spending allegedly exceeding its approved allocation.
The Merlimau state assemblyman also claimed Kamil did not properly understand the basics of government finance despite holding an important position in the ministry.
Commenting further, Kamil described Johan as a senior MOF civil servant who is efficient, meticulous and far more knowledgeable in matters of national financial administration.
“Naturally he is more knowledgeable than ‘Tuan Kassim Patalon’,” he said.
He also stressed that he was not disputing every sen spent on building roads for rural communities, as they rightfully deserve development.
“But development needed by the people and discipline in managing public funds are not two conflicting matters.
“If this is how they administer and manage financial procedures, it is no wonder institutions such as Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) and Felda nearly collapsed before this - not to mention involvement in massive scandals such as 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB),” he said.