KUALA LUMPUR: Ketereh MP Tan Sri Annuar Musa has schooled an Opposition MP in Parliament after he was accused of trying to fish for votes in the Sarawak state polls.
“You referred to an announcement I made in Sarawak not too long ago as if I’m trying to fish for votes by giving inaccurate info. It is a severe allegation. We as MPs and directors have to be accountable when campaigning.
“To marketing campaign is one factor but it surely have to be achieved with decorum in presenting correct info,” the Communications and Multimedia Minister mentioned when wrapping-up his ministerial replies on Budget 2022 on the committee stage in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Dec 8).
Annuar was responding to claims made by Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) in regards to the RM4bil, which might be invested subsequent 12 months in growing broadband providers in rural areas as talked about by Annuar.
Khoo had referred to a information article quoting Annuar, which he mentioned contradicted the RM700mil allotted in the Budget subsequent 12 months for the aim.
“It appears that what was mentioned by the minister is to fish for votes and I fear that what was promised by the minister might find yourself turning into simply empty guarantees,” Khoo mentioned.
Annuar clarified that the RM4bil quantity cited by him is a verified truth and isn’t a made-up determine.
He mentioned that aside from the RM700mil allotted in the Budget, there are additionally off-budget allocations, similar to these below the National Digital Network (Jendela) intiative and investments by telecommunications firms, which might be used to develop broadband connectivity in rural areas.
“My recommendation to YB (Khoo) is that you need to be extra thorough when making a cautionary assertion or it’s going to mirror badly on oneself,” mentioned Annuar.
Annuar mentioned he’ll get his officers to present a breakdown of how the RM4bil will likely be used to develop broadband connectivity in the nation.
On a separate difficulty, Annuar defended the appointment of Izzana Salleh as a non-executive director to the board of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
“She is a graduate from the Imperial College of Business School and Harvard. She is greater than certified and must be given the chance to characterize the voice of younger girls,” he mentioned.
He was responding to a query raised by Kasthuriraani Patto (PH-Batu Kawan) over Izzana’s appointment.
Kasthuriraani questioned if her appointment was due to her household connections.
She additionally questioned whether or not Izzana would have the option to discharge her obligations as she can be serving with TalentCorp and the Social Security Organisation. (Socso).
“Aren’t there extra succesful younger girls on the market who might be appointed to the submit?” she requested.
Annuar famous that Izzana wouldn’t be concerned in the day-to-day administration of MDEC however merely attend conferences as a non-executive director.
