Zahid denies ministry overspending allegations, claims budget underspent

KUALA LUMPUR — Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi rejected allegations of significant budget overruns at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry on Thursday, countering that the department had in fact spent less than its revised budget parameters.

The minister's statement came in response to claims suggesting the ministry had exceeded its spending by RM2.1 billion. Zahid maintained that financial management at the ministry remained disciplined and accountable, with expenditures kept in line with approved allocations.

The clarification underscores ongoing scrutiny of government spending across Malaysian ministries, with particular attention to how revised budgets are managed throughout the financial year. The ministry's position reflects broader efforts by the government to demonstrate fiscal responsibility in budget implementation.

Zahid's dismissal of the overspending claims adds to recent debates surrounding ministry finances and resource allocation across various government departments. The minister did not provide detailed breakdowns of spending figures in his statement.