Zahid: Rural and Regional Development Ministry aims to clear RM259.5m in project arrears by year-end

BAGAN DATUK, Nov 1 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi hopes that outstanding payments for projects under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) can be resolved amicably by the end of this year.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said efforts would be made to ensure payments for completed projects that had yet to be settled, including progress payments due to contractors and suppliers, could be made.

“We will endeavour to ensure that funds are made available to settle payments for projects that have been completed but remain unpaid, as well as progress payments due to contractors and suppliers.

“I have explained this matter in Parliament, and it was also answered by the Finance Minister II.

“I hope it can be resolved amicably,” he told a press conference after attending the 2026 Deepavali Santunan Kasih event at the Bagan Datuk Umno Hall here today.

Ahmad Zahid was asked to comment on a video uploaded on TikTok by his press secretary Fadzmel Fadzil, concerning allegations of delayed payments for projects amounting to more than RM200 million.

On October 30, it was reported that outstanding interim payments to contractors and compensation to landowners totalled about RM259.5 million as at September 30, involving 112 projects. — Bernama