The government has denied claims by certain quarters that the development allocation for new villages has been abolished.

Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan Abdul Rahman said RM55 million was given to new villages this year and that 95 percent of it had been spent.

He said the allegations were unhealthy especially in the light of the 50th Malaysia Day being celebrated tomorrow.

He told this to reporters after opening the Tawau Zone Fire and Rescue Department Fire Awareness Campaign today.

Abdul Rahman also clarified that the ministry had never denied the rights of the residents of new villages for allocations but the channelling of aid was hampered when most New Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairpersons resigned in compliance with a decision taken by MCA after the 13th General Election.

    

He said since all small projects in new villages required monitoring and certification, and in a situation when many JKKK chairmen had quit, allocations for the development of new villages were being channelled via district councils.

On other matters, Abdul Rahman said two new fire stations would be built in Sabah next year.

He said they would be built in Beluran and Kimanis and completion would be between two and three years.

- Bernama

Related stories

Don't end funding for new villages, MCA pleads to gov't

DAP joins MCA in wanting direct new village funding