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DAP calls for action against Zahid over budget overruns

Democratic Action Party leader Lim Guan Eng has urged authorities to take decisive action against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over alleged ministry overspending, warning that unchecked financial breaches could threaten Malaysia's broader fiscal stability.

LSN Malaysia · 4 September 2026

DAP calls for action against Zahid over budget overruns

Guan Eng said the government must move swiftly to address the matter to send a clear deterrent to other ministries that may be tempted to commit similar budgetary violations. The DAP politician emphasized that financial discipline across government agencies was essential to maintaining public confidence in fiscal management.

Without strict enforcement against overspending, Guan Eng warned, other government departments could follow suit, creating systemic risks to the country's financial health and budgetary planning. He stressed that accountability must extend equally to all ministry heads regardless of their political standing or position within the administration.

The remarks come amid scrutiny of spending practices at the ministry level, with Guan Eng arguing that preventive action now would prove more effective than addressing widespread breaches later. The DAP leader called for transparent investigation and proportionate consequences to reinforce fiscal responsibility across the civil service and ministerial structure.

The government has faced repeated pressure to strengthen oversight mechanisms and enforce stricter budget controls within federal agencies. Officials have previously acknowledged the need for enhanced monitoring to prevent budget deviations and ensure public funds are spent in accordance with approved allocations.