The previous government purportedly promised 13 Tamil schools RM39.7 million in assistance without the cabinet's approval, according to an Education Ministry source.

"There is no such (approved) funds in the Finance Ministry," the source told Malaysiakini.

According to the source, when the Education Ministry checked with the Finance Ministry, it discovered that the previous cabinet did not approve the funds, which was announced by a former deputy minister.

"However, the Education Ministry also found that the previous government held functions to present mock cheques to these schools.

"In essence, this was an empty promise made without an approval," claimed the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Malaysiakini understands that the assistance was announced during separate functions held prior to the official start of campaigning for the May 9 general election.

Previously, the Malaysian Tamil Schools Board Council had also raised the issue after receiving complaints that the schools have yet to receive the funds.

Council chairperson Guruu Ramasamy told Malaysiakini there was a "mystery" surrounding the funds after the Education Ministry's alleged refusal to clarify its current status.

He said the RM39.7 million was announced under two assistance schemes - a building expansion scheme and a relocation scheme.

From the figure, he said RM11.7 million was promised under the building expansion scheme to six schools - three in Perak, and one each in Kedah, Negeri Sembilan and Johor.

He added that the remaining RM28 million was supposed to be divided equally among seven schools.

Guruu urged the current Pakatan Harapan administration to help resolve the problem, rather than point fingers at its predecessor.

"It has been five months since Harapan took over the country's administration.

"Do they still want to blame BN for the (unapproved) funds? Or are they not interested in fulfilling BN's promise?" he questioned.

Meanwhile, the source said the Education Ministry is currently in the process of securing the promised funds and letters have been sent to the Finance Ministry.

When contacted, an officer from Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching's office told Malaysiakini that a statement would be issued soon.