Ronnie Liu, the Selangor exco member shouldn't be surprised with Barisan Nasional spending spree. It's their tradition for the last 50 years. After all, it's not UMNO money. It's duit rakyat.
And every time general election loomed nearer, politicians from the ruling government will spend money like nobody business. Even Sultan of Brunei will have his restraints. Not so for the Barisan Nasional. To show off to the rakyat that they care, new roads, new bridges, new mosques, new balai, new dewan appeared from nowhere. Any these project galores only came during the last year of the ruling term. Rakyat have to wait for it for at least 4 years.
To some, it also look like a last minute homework. Delivering projects which are 4 years overdue. That is Barisan Nasional style of economy. To hold the projects until the last time and re-use it as a campaign promise. Why promise the road if they win the coming election when they suppose to make the road 4 years ago. Those sick and old probably died and never see the projects being implemented.
Come election time, projects are awarded and implemented at break-neck speed. Even U.S Airforce F-15 Eagle cannot catch up. Those projects are called Projek Kilat. And during that time, the Class F to Class A contractors will cut-throat and suck the Barisan Nasional dry of money. A RM5 thousand bus-stand will cost RM10 thousand. A RM5 screwdriver will cost RM150 and so on and so forth.
Who absorbed the mercurial cost ? The rakyat. Who overspent it ? The government. Oit, not the Barisan Nasional meh ?
UPDATES:
* Oct 21, 2008: RM88 Million dumped into the swamp -- Paya Indah Wetlands
* Oct 15, 2008: Malaysia RM2.3 Billion Eurocopter Scandal
Extracted from: thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/14/nation/20080414170238&sec=nation (Apr 14, 2008)
RM27m for Selangor burned up in 50 days!
By EDWARD RAJENDRA
KLANG: The 54 Barisan Nasional assemblymen in the previous administration spent their total annual allocation of RM27mil ringgit for 2008 in just 50 days from the beginning of the year, said Selangor exco member Ronnie Liu.
"There was shock and disbelief when the state executive councillors found out that an annual allocation of RM500,000 each, meant for repairing roads and drains, had been used up by February," he said.
He said the state government would ask all the 36 former Barisan assemblymen and the 28 who retained their seats to explain how the allocations, meant for minor repair works in their constituencies, were used.
Liu, who is State Local Government, Study and Research Committee chairman, was speaking to reporters after a visit to the Klang Municipal Council here on Monday.
He said Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim decided last week to seek an explanation from the asemblymen to ensure accountability.
“All the letters to the assemblymen would be sent out within the week and they must give detailed accounts on how the allocations were used and who the contractors were who carried out the minor projects within their neighborhoods,” Liu said.
“We are not satisfied with the way allocations were used. We want to know how the rate-payers' money was used. But for now, we are not going to speculate on their spending trends. We will wait to see the outcome,” he said.
Ronnie said the assemblymen in the current government were now forced to ask for a fresh RM500,000 to provide the necessary services to their constituencies.
“We are going to come out with a new method where every sen spent will be accounted for. Our aim is to provide transparency, so, that the rakyat can check on the government’s expenditure,” he said.
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