A heated debate has emerged in Parliament regarding the development cost of the Central Database Hub (PADU) project. Dato' Seri Dr. Wee Ka Siong, MCA President and Member of Parliament for Ayer Hitam, has called for Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli to retract statements suggesting Wee was mistaken about the project's budget. The disagreement centers on whether the PADU project has cost RM31 million, as Rafizi claims, or RM85.27 million, a figure that Wee has referenced based on Rafizi’s own earlier statements.
The controversy began when Rafizi, the PKR Deputy President, publicly stated that PADU’s development costs amounted to only RM31 million as of September 2024. He denied Wee’s claim of RM85.27 million, which has been widely reported in the media and supported by responses Rafizi gave in Parliament. In his rebuttal, Wee insists the RM85.27 million figure came directly from Rafizi’s written replies to parliamentary questions posed by MPs Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff and Tan Hong Pin in July 2024. This figure, now part of the parliamentary record, was reportedly confirmed twice by Rafizi himself, making his recent comments of a RM31 million cost appear contradictory.
Wee demanded that Rafizi retract his claim that Wee had his facts wrong and clarify the actual cost in the Dewan Rakyat. Wee presented printed copies of media reports and parliamentary records to support his argument. “I have no intention of referring him to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee, but to defend my good name, I ask the Speaker to advise the minister to do the needful,” he said. Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul responded by requesting Wee submit an official letter for a formal review.
On social media, Wee further challenged Rafizi, asking him to take accountability if an error had been made. According to Wee, Rafizi’s latest comments suggest he might be attempting to sidestep responsibility, potentially blaming either his ministry officers or media outlets for the inconsistency. “Your status as a minister won’t be diminished,” Wee remarked, urging Rafizi to admit any possible mistake rather than shifting blame.
The back-and-forth between the two politicians has led to public confusion, with calls intensifying for transparency on PADU’s financial breakdown. Rafizi has yet to respond to Wee’s latest remarks, leaving many to wonder whether he will issue a clarification or address the discrepancy in Parliament.
This issue has broader implications beyond mere numbers. It underscores the importance of accuracy and accountability in government financial disclosures, especially for projects like PADU that involve significant public funding. With opposing figures presented by Rafizi himself, clarity on PADU's true costs has become a point of concern not only for lawmakers but also for the Malaysian public.
The ongoing debate calls into question how government spending is tracked and reported and highlights the need for a transparent approach to avoid similar controversies in the future.
By: Kpost
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