GEORGE TOWN, May 15 — Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy today demanded to know the outcome of RM2.88 billion in federal funds meant to develop the local Indian community.
According to him there was no sign of the funds allocated between 2012 and 2014 were spent.
“The Finance Ministry’s Secretary-General of Treasury, Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, reportedly said this sum was allocated to the Indian community and that another RM260 million was allocated this year,” he told a press conference at the meeting room of the state legislative assembly here.
“We want to know what happened to the money. Did it go to MIC? Was it given to some Indian organisations? Why we did not know about this?” Ramasamy asked.
He was referring to a news article published in local Tamil newspaper, Malaysia Nanban, quoting Mohd Irwan.
He said article’s publication prompted members of the Indian community to call him and ask him about the allocation.
“We are also equally surprised because we didn’t know about it and we want to know was the money hijacked?” he asked.
Alleging that what little the community receives was often hijacked, he said it was necessary to learn where the funds were used to ensure that they reached those who needed it most.
He added that the Indian community still faces economic issues such as poverty, unemployment and lack of development.
