GEORGE TOWN – Despite the controversies it has courted, the Housing and Local Government Ministry today confirmed the reappointment of local activists in opposition-held states under the Penggerak Komuniti Tempatan (PeKT) initiative come January 1.
Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said this is being done as PeKT received an allocation of only RM8.6 million in Budget 2021 – insufficient to cover all planned programmes.
“Yes, we reappointed (PeKT) because the budget we received is not much, that’s why we need to try different methods in terms of allowances and programme allocation, where it needs to be reviewed,” she told a press conference here.
The Vibes yesterday reported that the ministry is expected to make the reappointments by next month.
According to a source familiar with the matter, the decision was made to streamline the terms of service for upcoming appointees.
The source was responding to a letter being circulated in pro-Perikatan Nasional WhatsApp groups.
The letter dated December 18, purportedly from the ministry and signed by its secretary-general, Datuk Muhamad Musa, terminated the services of a PeKT appointee effective December 31.
It is believed that the letter sparked outrage among several Zuraida supporters, as confusion reigned over the issue.
PeKT has stumbled into several controversies since its launch in July, with Zuraida allegedly appointing members from Penggerak Komuniti Negara, a group comprising mostly former PKR supporters. – The Vibes, December 27, 2020
