PH cited 1MDB debts to justify cutting Teraju funds, says PN minister

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Latiff Ahmad today backed Mohamed Azmin Ali's disclosure that RM400 million in funds for Teraju, the unit set up to empower the Bumiputera economy, was "wiped out" when Pakatan Harapan (PH) took over Putrajaya.

Latiff, of Perikatan Nasional (PN), said the reason given was that the government had to clear its debts from the 1MDB scandal. 

"Paying 1MDB debts is a political answer," he added at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today. 

"Don't give such excuses. This is about helping the Bumiputeras." 

Azmin, the economic affairs minister under the PH administration, had said that the funds allocated for Teraju, were blocked by then finance minister Lim Guan Eng. 

He also said his claim could be proven as the decision was made known in writing. 

MalaysiaNow is attempting to reach Lim for a response. 

Lim's former aide Tony Pua meanwhile launched a scathing attack on Azmin, saying the Bersatu leader was "using cheap lies to boost his popularity".

Pua also listed a series of allocations for Malay entrepreneurs as well as for Islamic development, although he did not specifically address the allegations about budget cuts for Teraju. 

"The PH administration has been fair to all communities in the true spirit of a Malaysian government – without sacrificing the interests of any community, unlike the Barisan Nasional (BN) or PN governments which have failed to govern competently," he told MalaysiaNow.

When pressed on Teraju, Pua briefly replied: "We never blocked anything."

Speaking today, Latiff said one of the budget policies laid out in the 11th Malaysia Plan was a fund of RM2 billion for the Bumiputera. 

"It's a five-year plan from 2016 to 2020 – Teraju would get RM400 million every year," he said. 

When PH took over the administration of Putrajaya, he added, this was "wiped out". 

"If the RM400 million fund had been given, a lot could have been done for Bumiputera entrepreneurs," he said. 

He also called on whoever formed the government after the Nov 19 polls to continue the initiative.

On his announcement that he would not defend his parliamentary seat of Mersing, Latiff said it was time to make way for new faces as he had served as an MP for 27 years. 

Latiff had won the Mersing seat on a BN ticket at the 14th general election, obtaining just under 20,000 votes and defeating his competitors from PAS and PKR. 

He left Umno in December 2018 and joined Bersatu in February 2019. 

"I've been a deputy minister for 17 years, and a minister for 32 months. It's enough, it's time to let others became ministers," he said.