KUALA LUMPUR – The hundreds of thousands in grants promised by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Terengganu recently are not a form of graft, said Tan Sri Azam Baki.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner said this because it was seen as a ministry handout at the federal level, Sinar Harian reported.
“This is a ruling government that can implement initiatives it deems appropriate for the people.
“In my opinion, there is no problem regarding the issue of grants because it is a government initiative. So, if the allocation initiative has been approved by the government, there is no element of corruption,” he told Sinar Harian today.
This comes after Zahid promised RM100,000 for the Central Terengganu Development Authority (Ketengah) youth association in addition to an allocation of RM250,000 for the Terengganu Malaysia Youth Council.
Azam added that these types of “awards” are not a form of corruption or bribery.
On Friday, the Rural and Regional Development Ministry agreed to allocate an additional grant of RM100,000 to Ketengah for the purpose of developing the group’s activities in Terengganu.
The announcement was made by Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, during a programme in Bandar Al Muktafi Billah Shah, Terengganu.
Aside from the RM250,000 allocation for the Malaysian Youth Council of Terengganu, Zahid also announced RM200,000 in funding for motoring associations in the state. – July 30, 2023