Kuala Lumpur: DAP’s RSN Rayer has accused deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi of attempting to sabotage the unity government with his remarks on the shelving of several rural development projects in Sabah and Sarawak.
Rayer (PH-Jelutong) said Zahid (BN-Bagan Datuk), who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, made the government seem indifferent to the infrastructural issues faced by the two states as well as rural communities in the peninsula.
He said claims that the funds set aside for the shelved projects had been wasted had angered the public, even though finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan had clarified that no projects had been cancelled“The statement made by Bagan Datuk (Ahmad Zahid), who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, suggested that the allocations for Sabah and Sarawak had been sacrificed.
“This gave the impression that the Deputy Prime Minister and the Madani government were not concerned about the problems and various infrastructure issues affecting Sabah and Sarawak, as well as rural communities in Peninsular Malaysia.
“However, the Finance Minister II has explained that no cuts have been made and no funds have been withdrawn from those allocations.
“If I am confused, imagine how much more confused the public must be. Is the Bagan Datuk MP trying to sabotage the Madani government?” he said during the committee-stage debate on Budget 2027.
Rayer added that the remarks had sparked controversy, with many MPs and members of the public in Sabah and Sarawak expressing anger towards the government.
“It is clear as daylight. Bagan Datuk is indeed colluding with the other side to try to sabotage the Madani government,” he said.
Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) objected to Rayer’s remarks and demanded that he withdraw his accusation of sabotage, saying it was a heavy accusation to level at a deputy prime minister.
“Jelutong has made a malicious insinuation against the prime minister. He must withdraw that word,” he said.
Rayer defended himself and repeated his accusation that Zahid was conspiring with the opposition to topple the government.
“It is crystal clear that Bagan Datuk is conspiring with the other side to try to sabotage the Madani government,” he said.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul then told Rayer to file a motion if he was seeking to have Zahid’s remarks referred to the parliamentary rights and privileges committee.
Last week, when winding up the debate on the 2027 budget, Zahid claimed that projects in Sabah and Sarawak were shelved on the orders of the rural and regional development ministry’s secretary-general, despite funds being set aside for it.
Amir later rejected claims the Finance Ministry had cancelled projects, saying the Rural and Regional Development Ministry was merely told to hold off on awarding new road contracts until the unpaid bills were cleared.
