KUALA LUMPUR: The dispute over the allocation of RM5.21 million to the Selangor Municipal Council by the Housing and Local Government Ministry should be put to rest.

Its minister Nga Kor Ming said the controversy surrounding the issue had been explained many times.

"I have answered this before and I do not want to repeat it. "The allocation announced was done during a normal period, not during the Nomination Day or the election campaign.

"It (the announcement) was done two weeks prior to the Nomination Day when I did not have the knowledge of who the candidate was.

"I have also repeatedly emphasised that the ministry's programme called Sentuhan Kasih (where the allocation was announced) is a continuous programme by the ministry and was done in other locations such as Melaka where there is no election going on," he said at a press conference today at the pre-launch of the Madani Credit Award.

Nga said this in response to whether he had been summoned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to provide statements over complaints regarding his announcement of the RM5.21 million allocated to the Selangor Municipal Council.

The Teluk Intan member of parliament also reportedly said he was ready to cooperate with the authorities on the matter.

Meanwhile, it was previously reported that the MACC had yet to initiate an investigation into the matter. (reference: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/1047402/macc-yet-launch-inves...)

Its chief commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki, said the graft busters would look into the matter and take into account media reports on the event, which was held in Kuala Kubu Baharu last month.

Nga, who is also DAP vice-chairman, added that he would give full cooperation to the authorities and relevant government agencies if he is summoned to assist in the investigation.

"This is a government that upholds the principles of the Rukun Negara, including sovereignty of the law.

"I am ready to cooperate with any party, but we always ensure that what we do always complies with the requirements of the law."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/1054772/dispute-over-rm521-million-allocation-selangor-municipal-council-issue