KUALA LUMPUR: Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said she is not aware of the two projects allegedly awarded through direct negotiations by her ministry under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
The Ampang Member of Parliament had helmed the same ministry during the PH federal administration.
"I am aware of the statement by the Finance Ministry on projects approved through direct negotiations during the PH government, which also involved the Housing and Local Government ministry.
"I would like to emphasise that the approval of the two projects made during my tenure as minister under the previous administration was made beyond my knowledge.
"Therefore, I give my assurance that the ministry will investigate this issue," she said in a statement today.
According to Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz yesterday, the two projects worth RM170 million allegedly approved for the ministry through direct negotiations were for a financial and accounting system maintenance contract; and the construction, operation and maintenance of a new solid waste transfer station in Kepong.
Both developments were among 101 projects worth RM6.61 billion which were awarded through direct negotiations during the PH administration.
On Monday, Tengku Zafrul, during his winding-up speech on the Temporary Measures For Government Financing (Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19)) bill 2020 debate in Parliament caused an uproar among both sides of the political divide when he revealed that the PH government had awarded 101 projects through direct negotiations amounting to RM6.61 billion.
His predecessor, Lim Guan Eng, who is also the DAP secretary-general, challenged the former to provide the list of the 101 projects, stressing that they were approved after meeting certain conditions.
Tengku Zafrul yesterday revealed the list in response to a query by several lawmakers including, Lim.