Seremban: Negeri Sembilan Pakatan Harapan (PH) assemblymen have asserted that funds allocated before the state assembly's dissolution were dedicated solely to public welfare and not for political purposes. Nilai assemblyman J. Arul Kumar emphasized that unspent funds were returned to the Menteri Besar's Office before July 10, accompanied by detailed financial reports for each constituency.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the state DAP chairman highlighted that the allocations supported those in need, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs), residents' associations, Rukun Tetangga (KRT), schools, places of worship, and individuals requiring financial assistance. He clarified that the funds were not utilized for personal gain or political campaigns. Financial reports and unspent balances were submitted in compliance with the guidelines and official directive from the Menteri Besar's Office.
Present at the announcement were Bukit Kepayang assemblyman Nicole Tan, Choo Ken Hwa (Lukut), Chew Seh Yong (Lobak), Datuk Dr. G. Rajasekaran (Sri Tanjung), Siau Meow Kong (Rahang), and Datuk Yew Boon Lye (Chuah). Arul Kumar mentioned that allocation disbursement approvals were made quarterly by the State Executive Council, not monthly, with no conditions restricting monthly spending from the Menteri Besar's Office.
Arul Kumar further explained that spending was instructed to cease by June 30, with unspent funds returned by July 10. All 17 assemblymen and two coordinators adhered to this directive. He highlighted the difficulty in reclaiming funds from recipients once they had been properly disbursed before the assembly's dissolution.
He expressed hope that the Negeri Sembilan state government would review the submitted financial reports and reconsider its decision, ensuring fairness for all involved. Arul Kumar offered to meet with the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar for further clarification and to allow a thorough examination of the financial reports.
Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim reportedly requested that 17 PH assemblymen and two state constituency coordinators return allocations received for July to September within a month, following the state assembly's dissolution on June 5. The decision accounted for the fact that the assemblymen and coordinators, including those from Paroi and Labu, no longer held functions post-dissolution.