Grants not a form of bribery, says Azam Baki

SHAH ALAM - Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki has stated that the grant of RM100,000 to the Terengganu Central Development Authority Youth Association (Ketengah) and the allocation of RM250,000 for the Terengganu Malaysia Youth Council are not forms of corruption.

Azam clarified that the grants are legitimate initiatives from the Ministry at the Federal level and are aimed at benefiting the people.

"This ruling government can implement initiatives when deemed appropriate for the people.

"In my opinion, there is no problem regarding the grant issue because it is a government initiative.

"So if the allocation initiative has been approved by the government, there is no element of corruption," he told Sinar today.

He further clarified that such grants and allocations are not a form of bribery.

On Friday, the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) confirmed the allocation of an additional RM100,000 grant to Ketengah for the purpose of developing the group's activities in Terengganu.

The announcement was made by the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, during the Premier Generation Sustainable Youth Association (LesGU) gathering in conjunction with the Sentuhan Kasih Desa program in Bandar Al Muktafi Billah Shah, Terengganu.

In addition to the Ketengah grant, Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, announced an allocation of RM250,000 for the Malaysian Youth Council of Terengganu and RM200,000 for motoring associations in the state.

The grants and allocations are part of the government's initiatives to support youth development and community programmes in the region.