Dubious project in spotlight

Melaka wants answers to RM30mil agricultural white elephant

MELAKA: Melaka is demanding an answer to a dubious agricultural project that has been left idle for four years.

State Agriculture, Entrepreneur Development, Agro-based and Cooperative Committee chairman Norhizam Hassan Baktee said the project, costing nearly RM30mil, is located in Serkam, Jasin.

“The basic amenities such as an enclosed greenhouse, residential units and an office have been constructed since its launch in 2014.

“I am compelled to lodge reports with the police and MACC ( Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission) after no documents were available to trace how and where the allocation was utilised.

“We need answers as some RM3mil came from the Melaka Islamic Religious Council from tithes collection,” he said.

Norhizam said the project site, covering some 9.3ha, was supposed to help the hardcore poor.

“The state government supports such noble projects to uplift the economic status of the people but has zero tolerance on elements of misappropriation,” he said.

He said checks showed that the initial intention of the previous administration was to make Serkam a model in implementing similar poverty eradication programmes in all the 28 state constitu- encies in Melaka.

“The project was supposed to cultivate rock melon and catfish breeding to provide income to some 100 families, comprising 2,800 households, of the hardcore groups from Jasin.

“Somehow, it ended up as a white elephant,” he said.

Norhizam said they would try to revive the project once the state government, with the help of the authorities, recovers the missing funds.