RTP funds not channelled into pockets of YBs — Penguang
MARUDI: Funds allocated for Rural Transformation Projects ( RTP) are not channelled into pockets of elected representatives as alleged by certain quarters.
Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil vehemently denied such allegations as baseless and an attempt by the opposition to gain support.
Penguang explained that the RM5 million development funds for RTP allocated to each Barisan Nasional ( BN) assemblyman are being channelled for development of their respective state constituency and not given in cash to the elected representatives.
“The RM5 million is allocated to each YB by the state government as a development fund to each state constituency under the Barisan Nasional. It is being given to each YB to carry out projects in their constituency but the money is not given in cash,” said the Marudi assemblyman during a question and answer session at the ‘ Townhall JASA Jelajah Akar Umbi’ forum for Baram Parliament held at Beluru community hall in Bakong recently.
Meanwhile, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said the RTP allocation would be channelled to projects that have been approved in each constituency after going through the screening process.
“Thus, in this matter each assemblyman only acts as a mediator to list the projects of interest to the people on a priority basis before being submitted to relevant parties for approval and implementation,” he added.
Various issues were raised during the session at the programme including the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), establishment of Petroleum Sarawak Berhad ( Petros) and the appointment of community leaders in the parliamentary constituency.