Perak Deputy Speaker Defends Nga Over Abuse Of Power Claims

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Perak state assembly deputy speaker Jenny Choy has defended Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming against claims of abusing government machinery ahead of official nominations for the Ayer Kuning by-election.
The Canning assemblyperson said she had joined Nga during several recent functions including in Tapah where the minister announced an allocation of RM6,130,719 for 33 development and infrastructure projects.
"For Bidor and Ipoh, the elected representatives and myself were with the minister during the announcement. We are sound and safe and no by-elections are pending. Yet, the minister is here with us.
"Earlier this year, the minister visited Taiping and announced a RM2 million project for the upgrade of markets and Taman Madani.
"No by-elections in Taiping or any of the state seats thereunder as well," she said.
Unfair use
Yesterday, electoral watchdog Bersih noted that Tapah would encompass the Ayer Kuning state constituency, and so Nga’s use of his ministerial position to channel government projects into areas facing an election is an unfair use of government resources.
Bersih also cited the “3C” guidelines it issued in 2023 in conjunction with the state elections for Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan.
The guideline stipulates that there shall be no conditions, no campaigning, and no involvement of election candidates during official government functions, to ensure government machinery is not misused for political purposes.
Choy (above), however, said that in the past two and a half years, the ministry has launched more than 30 Sentuhan Kasih projects approved for the benefit of the people.
"A simple fact check will tell, that Sentuhan Kasih 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 are the routine down-to-the-earth activities by the ministry.
"It is to get the projects rolling, it is to let the people know about the projects, it is to ensure that the projects are well implemented to address the needs of the people.
"For Perak alone, under all three series of Sentuhan Kasih, the minister (Nga) has touched Ipoh, Teluk Intan, Taiping, Manjung, Batu Gajah, Kampar, Sungai Siput, Gerik, Kuala Kangsar, Tapah, and many more," she said.
Other than Bersih, Parti Putra information chief Shahrulutfi Sharif condemned Nga and urged the MACC to investigate the alleged corruption and abuse of power.
He insisted the announcement was an attempt to sway voters' support ahead of official nominations today. Polling day falls on April 26.
Three candidates from BN, Perikatan Nasional and PSM are contesting the Ayer Kuning seat, vacated due to the death of the incumbent, Ishsam Shahruddin, 58, on Feb 22. - Mkini

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