DAP: Johor 2014 budget a stab in the dark
Published: Nov 8, 2013 6:46 AM | Updated: Nov 8, 2013 6:50 AM
Without the proper 2012 accounts to compare with, the Johor assembly's bid to scrutinise the 2014 Budget for Malaysia's third richest state will only be a stab in the dark, opposition members said today.
Without the proper 2012 accounts to compare with, the Johor assembly's bid to scrutinise the 2014 Budget for Malaysia's third richest state will only be a stab in the dark, opposition members said today.
DAP's Boo Cheng Hau (right) questioned if the state's constitution has been bent, as only a non-audited list of cash reserves and other assets such as revenues and trust funds have been provided.
Crucially, the Johor opposition leader Boo said the state assembly has not been fully informed of Johor's liabilities, debt positions and expenditure details as at Dec 31, 2012.
"This is my sixth year participating in the state government budget debates, but this is the first time that the menteri besar has failed to table an audited financial report, " Boo said in a press statement jointly issued with assemblypersons’ from PAS and PKR.
Boo claimed the state assembly speaker and secretary have responded that the delay was due to the late passing of the Auditor-General's 2012 Report in Parliament, and as such, the full financial status may only be disclosed in March next year.
However, Boo said this would be too late as Johor has started to debate its Budget 2014 this week.
"This has made the Johor Assembly a mere rubber stamp of the Johor government and has shown disrespect to the people of Johor. The Johor government has set a bad precedent by denying the people's right to information," Boo said.
Johor is Malaysia’s third richest state after Penang and Selangor - the latter two governed by opposition parties.
DAP's Boo Cheng Hau (right) questioned if the state's constitution has been bent, as only a non-audited list of cash reserves and other assets such as revenues and trust funds have been provided.Crucially, the Johor opposition leader Boo said the state assembly has not been fully informed of Johor's liabilities, debt positions and expenditure details as at Dec 31, 2012.
"This is my sixth year participating in the state government budget debates, but this is the first time that the menteri besar has failed to table an audited financial report, " Boo said in a press statement jointly issued with assemblypersons’ from PAS and PKR.
Boo claimed the state assembly speaker and secretary have responded that the delay was due to the late passing of the Auditor-General's 2012 Report in Parliament, and as such, the full financial status may only be disclosed in March next year.
However, Boo said this would be too late as Johor has started to debate its Budget 2014 this week.
"This has made the Johor Assembly a mere rubber stamp of the Johor government and has shown disrespect to the people of Johor. The Johor government has set a bad precedent by denying the people's right to information," Boo said.
Johor is Malaysia’s third richest state after Penang and Selangor - the latter two governed by opposition parties.
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