PH to review Melaka's abandoned projects, including monorail, if it wins state polls - Adly

MELAKA - Pakatan Harapan (PH) will review several abandoned projects in the state, including the monorail service, if given the mandate in the 16th Melaka state election on Nov 14, as part of efforts to ensure the proper management of public funds.

Melaka PH chairman Adly Zahari said the move was important as the people had the right to know how much money had been spent on each project, how the funds had been utilised and who was responsible for reviving the projects.

"For instance, RM16.5 million had been spent on the monorail project, but its service was halted in 2020. The people therefore deserve an explanation on the status of the assets, maintenance costs and a reasonable plan for its revival.

"The impact of these abandoned projects is negative in many respects, particularly in terms of safety, the future of tourism and Melaka's image. Whoever is given the mandate must therefore have a clear agenda on what needs to be done with these projects,” he said.

Adly, who was named as PH’s candidate for Chief Minister by the coalition's election director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari should PH win the mandate in the state election, said this at the coalition's daily press conference at the PH main operations centre in Bukit Piatu here today.

Elaborating further, Adly, who is the PH candidate for the Bukit Katil state seat, said the review would, among other things, determine whether the project could be continued through new investments or scrapped altogether.

He said PH would also ensure that all forms of public assistance and people-centric initiatives implemented by the state government were delivered more transparently and without bureaucratic red tape, should the coalition be given the mandate.

"The challenge with the assistance system lies in bureaucracy, as well as its reliance on personal connections and political ties. However, in this digital age, we must make the system more transparent and accountable, so that everyone can clearly determine whether they are eligible or not, and, if an application is rejected, understand the reasons for the decision.

"The fact is that when the PH government took office in 2018, it had already addressed some of the bureaucratic issues and partisan politics in the distribution of assistance, ensuring that all forms of aid were channelled through government agencies,” he said.

In the upcoming polls, incumbent Adly, who is also Amanah vice-president, will face a four-cornered contest to defend the Bukit Katil seat against Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Ridzuan Sarif, Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) candidate Dr Aliza Che Amran and independent candidate Abu Bakar Sabudin.

The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 14 as polling day for the Melaka state election, with early voting scheduled for Nov 10. - BERNAMA