The truth on the alleged misappropriation of special funds for two Chinese primary schools - SRJK (C) Ai Hwa and SRJK (C) Kung Yu, both in Muar, Johor - has finally emerged.

Works Minister S Samy Vellu and Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Ting, who was accompanied by government officials, visited both schools yesterday to investigate the allegations.

They found that the funds used to repair the buildings which were suffering from a termite problem had indeed been misused.

An official from the Works Department, who was in charge of the repair work for SRJK (C) Kung Yu admitted that they only spent RM3,000 for the renovation and termite treatment, instead of the RM30,000 which was claimed from the government.

He apologised profusely to Samy Vellu during the visit.

Most of the Chinese press today gave front-page coverage to the issue. According to their reports, Samy Vellu was enraged on hearing the confession and publicly reprimanded the official to tears.

A director of the school board of SRJK (C) Ai Hwa, LC Poh told journalists that the contractors had allegedly made a claim for RM20,000 when the work should only cost about RM5,000.

At a press conference, Samy Vellu chided the contractors for their dereliction of duty. He asked for details of work carried out by the contractors, including invoices and insurance given to the workers.

He directed the contractors of both school projects to submit the information today for further investigation. The works minister will be reporting his findings to the cabinet when it meets tomorrow.

Samy Vellu added that a report to the Anti-Corruption Agency could be lodged should there be a need for it.

Ong's boss apologises

The issue of misappropriation of funds was first disclosed by a school board member during a Teachers' Day dinner in Muar. Deputy Higher Education Minister Ong Tee Keat, who was invited as a guest of honour for the dinner, responded to the issue.

He was then embroiled in a spat with Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein Onn as his statement implicated officials in the Education Ministry.

He was later reprimanded by the cabinet for openly criticising officials in another ministry.

After the cabinet meeting, Higher Education Minister Mustapa Mohamed apologised to the education minister over Ong's statement.

The special fund for the repair and upgrading of schools was set up last year after a teacher died when he fell through loose floorboards in a Kedah school.