Not an offence to approve direct projects during emergencies, says Tuan Ibrahim
Former Environment and Water minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man
He said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should know that direct negotiations to flood mitigation need to be expedited and it was not an offence to do so.
"He knows that many emergency projects need to be expedited to reduce bigger disasters and losses," he said in a statement, today.
The Pas deputy president added all regulatory negotiation processeslink to financial procedures must be strictly scrutinised in accordance with the guidelines set by the FInance Ministry.
"Direct negotiation or selective tenders are especially for floods, dams, landslides and others. However, once again I emphasise it must comply with the financial procedures," he said.
He said such when commenting on Anwar's revelation that there were irregularities in the latest RM7 billion of flood mitigation projects.
The previous government had allocated RM15 billion for Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) until 2030 as a long-term strategy to face climate change.
Among the main projects were Sabo Dam Project worth RM562 million in 46 locations throughout the country to reduce the risk of debris and mud floods similar to the tragedy in Baling, Kedah and the construction of Dual Function Reservoir worth RM2 billion along the Klang River and Rasau River, Selangor.
