MACC probe on abuse of rural development funds in Sabah should be supported

KOTA KINABALU: The arrest and investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) involving several individuals on the misappropriation of rural infrastructure development funds in Sabah should be welcomed instead of being deflected through various statements based on the witch hunt and occupational hazard theories.
National Umno Youth Exco member Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the move by the MACC had long been expected and should be supported because many stories had been heard since 2010 when the National Key Result Area (NKRA) (Rural) was alleged to have been abused by a federal ministry which resulted in the projects purportedly being delayed, uncompleted and also reported to be ready but could not be used.
"What is a bigger and more important issue is that it involved a very significant public fund. We frequently point our fingers at the Federal Government with our allegation that Sabah is neglected.
"We are thankful when millions of ringgit are channeled by the Federal Government for the people of Sabah through one of the main focus of Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Abdul Razak, the Malaysian prime minister, beginning 2010 under the NKRA Rural Development agenda.
"It's most unfortunate that the fund, channelled through a federal ministry, was not looked after in a trustworthy and responsible manner,"he said in a statement today.
It was more unfortunate, said Amrizan, who is also Papar Umno Youth head, that the misappropriation was alleged to have involved individuals who were the people of Sabah themselves and the total misappropriation investigated was very considerable reaching about a billion ringgit. — Bernama