KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has described the allocation of grants by the federal government to the youth of Terengganu as not illegal or corrupt.
MACC chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said as the ruling government that was governing the country, it had the right to give initiatives that it deemed appropriate for the people.
He said he felt that there was no issue because it was an initiative from the government.
"So if this allocation initiative has been approved by the government, then there is no element of corruption," he said as reported by a news portal.
Previously, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had announced a grant of RM100,000 for the Central Development Authority (Ketengah) youth association and RM250,000 for the Terengganu Youth Council.
The announcement was questioned by various parties as it was given in the run-up to the state elections.
In addition to the donation to the Ketengah youth association and the Terengganu Youth Council, Zahid also announced RM200,000 in aid of the motoring associations in the state.
Terengganu is among the six states where the state elections will be held besides Selangor, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Kedah and Kelantan.
Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman accused Zahid of trying to "normalise corruption" but Zahid denied it.
In a statement today, Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man expressed disappointment that the MACC did not issue a response on the matter, despite various parties expressing anger and disappointment on social media over Zahid's speech.
Yesterday, Terengganu Muda lodged a police report against Zahid over his speech, alleging that he was using ministry funds to win support of the youth.