Zahid using contractor row to shore up Malay support, say analysts
3 hours ago
Tamil Thendral Annadurai
They say the dispute over delayed payments gives Umno room to protect its rural base but carries political risks for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who also holds the rural and regional development portfolio, voiced frustration over delayed payments to contractors carrying out rural development projects. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Political analysts have described deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s public criticism of delayed payments to rural development contractors as a deliberate political move to protect Umno’s support among Malay and rural voters.
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
International Islamic University Malaysia’s Syaza Shukri said the remarks by Zahid, who also holds the rural and regional development portfolio, were aimed at Umno’s grassroots base, given that the rural and regional development ministry deals predominantly with Bumiputera contractors.
She said any pushback from the Treasury could strengthen Umno’s narrative that it is defending the economic interests of rural Malays.
“This is really about pushing Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to answer to what would be perceived by their base as the marginalisation of rural Malays,” she told FMT.
She said any pushback from the Treasury could strengthen Umno’s narrative that it is defending the economic interests of rural Malays.
“This is really about pushing Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to answer to what would be perceived by their base as the marginalisation of rural Malays,” she told FMT.
Syaza Shukri.
Syaza also said Zahid’s decision to raise the matter publicly rather than resolve it through Cabinet channels suggested that the issue was not just the delayed payments.
“The fact that it was aired publicly means there is a clear target: the finance ministry and the wider Anwar Ibrahim-led government,” she said.
Syaza also said Zahid’s decision to raise the matter publicly rather than resolve it through Cabinet channels suggested that the issue was not just the delayed payments.
“The fact that it was aired publicly means there is a clear target: the finance ministry and the wider Anwar Ibrahim-led government,” she said.
Asrul Sani.
Political analyst Asrul Sani said Zahid’s criticism could also distract from investigations concerning Tabung Haji while shifting attention from spending limits to the government’s obligation to honour its commitments.
He warned that if payment delays dragged on, Anwar would face severe narrative risks that could undermine his standing with Malay voters.
“If the delays continue, Umno can portray Anwar as denying it the resources needed to serve Malay and rural communities,” he said.
Zahid complained that contractors had completed rural projects but were facing delayed payments, with some allegedly suffering cash-flow problems or closing down.
In response, Treasury secretary-general Johan Mahmood Merican said most of this year’s allocation for rural road projects had already been spent, resulting in payment constraints.
Johan said the allocation had been fully disbursed and that the rural and regional development ministry had consistently spent more than its approved annual allocation for rural road projects in recent years.
He warned that if payment delays dragged on, Anwar would face severe narrative risks that could undermine his standing with Malay voters.
“If the delays continue, Umno can portray Anwar as denying it the resources needed to serve Malay and rural communities,” he said.
Zahid complained that contractors had completed rural projects but were facing delayed payments, with some allegedly suffering cash-flow problems or closing down.
In response, Treasury secretary-general Johan Mahmood Merican said most of this year’s allocation for rural road projects had already been spent, resulting in payment constraints.
Johan said the allocation had been fully disbursed and that the rural and regional development ministry had consistently spent more than its approved annual allocation for rural road projects in recent years.
Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri.
Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting said parliamentary budget ceilings must be respected, and warned against treating public funds as a political tool.
“Fiscal discipline is what protects public money. If every minister could commit beyond allocations and subsequently demand Treasury payment because contractors were politically important, we would no longer have a budgetary system; we would have a political chequebook,” he said.
He said the episode was ultimately a test of the unity government’s political maturity.
“Sometimes the most pro-government political position is not to defend every statement made by your coalition partner, but to demand that everyone, including your own minister, tells the whole truth,” he said.
“Fiscal discipline is what protects public money. If every minister could commit beyond allocations and subsequently demand Treasury payment because contractors were politically important, we would no longer have a budgetary system; we would have a political chequebook,” he said.
He said the episode was ultimately a test of the unity government’s political maturity.
“Sometimes the most pro-government political position is not to defend every statement made by your coalition partner, but to demand that everyone, including your own minister, tells the whole truth,” he said.
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