'Government funds should be used for the nation, not for political gain'

SHAH ALAM - Ministers are reminded not to misuse government allocations by 'inserting' the logo or name of a particular party to gain political support.

Political Analyst Professor Wong Chin Huat noted that such actions could tarnish the government's image and provide ammunition for opponents to attack the current administration.

"Party funds should value the party (by naming the party). National funds should value the nation (by not including the party's name). If national funds carry the party's name, then contribute party funds to the nation," he told Sinar yesterday.

He made these remarks when asked to comment on the actions of the Local Government Development Minister, Nga Kor Ming, who was alleged to have politicised central government allocations to schools by placing the DAP logo on a replica check.

Chin Huat added that it is not appropriate for any political leader who is a government cabinet member to take credit for state allocations.

On Wednesday, Umno Youth also reprimanded their ally, DAP, for using the party's logo on a replica check representing a government donation to schools in Perak.

Its Youth Chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, requested an explanation from Kor Ming regarding the donation event.

"Is this donation from the government?

"And if it's from the government, what is the connection between the DAP logo being on the mock-up of the donation check?" he wrote on his Facebook.

Akmal also recently uploaded a newspaper clipping image of a school representative receiving a donation from Kor Ming.

Meanwhile, when met at an event in Putrajaya, Kor Ming stated that there was no issue with the use of the DAP logo and stressed that what's important is that the involved schools receive the benefits.