Opposition states won’t be victimised, says Ong
The Sun (26/5/08): The Housing and Local Government Ministry will not hold back federal funds to victimise the people in the five states overned by the Pakatan Rakyat.
Its minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said the people are entitled to the development funds under the Federal Constitution and the ministry will not hold them to ransom by denying the funds due to them.
In fact, he said, the five state governments can request the ministry for necessary funds in times of natural calamities like floods and for major projects that will benefit the public.
Ong was responding to a suggestion that the federal government is discriminating against the five state governments by not channelling funds through them, whereas the BN state governments are getting the funds directly from the ministry.
“As far as my ministry is concerned, the ultimate aim is for the funds to go to the grassroots. It is merely a technicality when the federal funds are diverted through the federal development officer. The funding has to be split into federal and state departments as the state and federal governments have different accounting and auditing procedures,” he said.
“There are guidelines for the federal development officer to follow in distributing federal funds. He can either channel the funds through the district offices or call for tenders for major projects like building bridges or installing traffic lights.”
Ong said although there are different administrative procedures at the state and federal levels, the money still goes to the grassroots.
“There is no conflict of interest in such different procedures as far as the implementation is concerned; it is a mere technicality and the purpose is the same. It will not affect the people’s interest,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after officiating a Red Crescent Society function at the Red Crescent Malaysia, Perak branch on Sunday, at which 120 Red Crescent students from 24 schools received awards and letters of appreciation.
On the call by the National House Buyers Association to make it mandatory for all developers to adhere to the build-and-sell concept, Ong said it would have to be on a voluntary basis as the smaller developers cannot survive because of the high costs involved.
Also in the ministry’s pipeline is the revival of the National Housing Policy which will see the reduction of red tape which is not conducive to the building industry.
In addition, steps will be taken to protect house buyers when housing projects are abandoned. The revised policy is expected to be implemented early next year.
Its minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said the people are entitled to the development funds under the Federal Constitution and the ministry will not hold them to ransom by denying the funds due to them.
In fact, he said, the five state governments can request the ministry for necessary funds in times of natural calamities like floods and for major projects that will benefit the public.
Ong was responding to a suggestion that the federal government is discriminating against the five state governments by not channelling funds through them, whereas the BN state governments are getting the funds directly from the ministry.
“As far as my ministry is concerned, the ultimate aim is for the funds to go to the grassroots. It is merely a technicality when the federal funds are diverted through the federal development officer. The funding has to be split into federal and state departments as the state and federal governments have different accounting and auditing procedures,” he said.
“There are guidelines for the federal development officer to follow in distributing federal funds. He can either channel the funds through the district offices or call for tenders for major projects like building bridges or installing traffic lights.”
Ong said although there are different administrative procedures at the state and federal levels, the money still goes to the grassroots.
“There is no conflict of interest in such different procedures as far as the implementation is concerned; it is a mere technicality and the purpose is the same. It will not affect the people’s interest,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after officiating a Red Crescent Society function at the Red Crescent Malaysia, Perak branch on Sunday, at which 120 Red Crescent students from 24 schools received awards and letters of appreciation.
On the call by the National House Buyers Association to make it mandatory for all developers to adhere to the build-and-sell concept, Ong said it would have to be on a voluntary basis as the smaller developers cannot survive because of the high costs involved.
Also in the ministry’s pipeline is the revival of the National Housing Policy which will see the reduction of red tape which is not conducive to the building industry.
In addition, steps will be taken to protect house buyers when housing projects are abandoned. The revised policy is expected to be implemented early next year.
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