KUALA LUMPUR – A DAP lawmaker wants action to be taken against Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan for supposedly concealing expenditure details of an agency under the ministry.
M. Kula Segaran (Ipoh Barat-PH) told the Dewan Rakyat today that Saravanan failed to furnish the necessary information in his written reply to a question posed by the former in the House last Thursday.
In his question, Kula Segaran had requested answers over the amount that had been spent by the Human Resources Development Corporation (HRD Corp) for overseas visits conducted by its chairman and chief executive officer since 2020, and the details of the travels.
“However, the minister only answered part of the question, namely the countries that they visited. More importantly, why was the spending not detailed out? Something is fishy,” he said today.
“Lately, I also realised that many ministers are not replying to questions on spendings. Parliament is supposed to be for check and balance, and all matters raised must be answered in full.”
Saravanan, in his written reply, had merely noted that the overseas travel involving HRD Corp chairman and CEO involved trips to Japan, United States and Singapore, in a bid to explore potential collaboration partners.
Kula Segaran argued that Saravanan’s action amounted to misleading the House.
Dewan Rakyat Standing Order 36(12) stipulates that such action is deemed to be in contempt of the House and the member may be referred to the Committee of Privileges.
He said he would be writing to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun to propose action.
“When I was minister, we used to answer every question. We never feared anybody. But if the question on funds spent cannot be answered, then certainly something is not right.”
“I received information that the reason the details were not divulged is that companies which won tenders by HRD Corp had sponsored the trips. This has become a suspicion, and it’s not good.
Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor, who was chairing the session, suggested Kula Segaran write in to Azhar, adding he was confident the matter would be addressed then. – The Vibes, August 1, 2022
