Clarify with data, say analysts on Treasury allocation dispute
Analysts are urging the Malaysian rural and regional development ministry to use data to resolve a public dispute with the Treasury regarding budget allocations. Experts argue that professional officials, rather than political press secretaries, should be the ones explaining financial discrepancies.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights concerns over government transparency and the proper role of political appointees versus civil servants in managing public funds.
Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri (left) says the assertion by Zahid Hamidi's press secretary, Fadzmel Fadzil, that it was 'impossible' for the ministry to spend beyond its allocation was too simplistic and did not adequately address the Treasury’s figures.
PETALING JAYA: Any disagreement with the Treasury over the rural and regional development ministry’s allocation should be clarified with data rather than assertions, say analysts.
Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting said if the ministry believed the figures presented by Treasury secretary-general Johan Mahmood Merican were inaccurate, its secretary-general and finance officials were better placed to explain the discrepancy.
“Why are we hearing so much from the press secretary, but less substantive explanation from the ministry’s professional officials?
“From a good governance perspective, when there is an open dispute over a ministry’s financial figures, the professional officials should be the ones providing the explanation.
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