KUALA LUMPUR – National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Sadique has revealed that the Prime Minister’s Department (PMD) had already spent around half of the RM100 million annual allocation for the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) before it was handed over to her ministry.
Speaking during her wind-up session on the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) debate in Parliament today, the Kota Tinggi lawmaker said that, prior to her appointment on March 10 last year, Mitra was parked under the PMD.
“When I took over the ministry in 2020, yes, there was an allocation of RM100 million but my ministry only received around RM65 million.
“More than RM34 million was utilised to pay off the programme’s debts before the ministry was established, when it was under the PMD.
“From January 2021 until August 2021, people said that Mitra received an allocation of RM100 million but we only received RM49.1 million. The remaining RM50 million was used to pay off the debts.
“So, the allocation that Mitra was managing in 2020 was only around RM65.1 million and in 2021, only RM49.1 million,” said Halimah.
She said that some of the funds were allocated to NGOs.
She added that, after she took over, she decided to put a maximum cap of RM300,000 for funds that Mitra can allocate or utilise to support Indian NGOs.
As another precautionary measure, Halimah also established an evaluation committee and a monitoring committee, both chaired by her secretary-general, to ensure that the funds are not spent frivolously.
During her debate, Halimah was lauded and received a lot of support from the opposing aisle.
The usually fiery Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer surprised the lower house when he voiced his thanks and appreciation to Halimah, acknowledging the fact that she was transparent regarding Mitra’s expenditures and funds.
However, he also questioned whether or not it was true that Mitra had given millions to MIC-related NGOs.
“The Social Strategic Foundation, chaired by MIC president, received RM9 million from Mitra.
“Are you going to investigate them?” asked Rayer.
Responding to Rayer’s question, Halimah said that the RM300,000 cap was only implemented this year, and that the approval process for NGOs requesting funds had not been as stringent as it is today. – The Vibes, October 6, 2021
Half of RM100 mil Mitra allocation already used before we took over: Halimah
National Unity Ministry will monitor use of funds more stringently, minister tells Dewan
Updated 4 years ago · Published on 06 Oct 2021 7:39PM
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