RC/VEP project for northern zone next year - Wee

“The Cabinet has decided that we will introduce RC/VEP for the northern zone but not through direct negotiation, it will be made via open tender. The allocation provided (in Budget 2021) is to implement the RC/VEP project in the northern level,” he said when winding-up the Budget 2021 debate at the committee stage for the ministry at the Dewan Rakyat here today.

The allocation was later passed through bloc voting with 109 members of parliament (MPs) in favour, 94 against and 17 absentees.

Meanwhile, Wee also announced the service age limit for public vehicles, especially taxis, would be automatically extended for another year to help those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If previously, 10 years is the end of its service age, and can no longer be used, we will now extend it for another year. These people might not have any money, so this is what the ministry can do to assist them,” he said.

In another development, Wee said RM23.32 million was allocated for legal costs in the case of the MH17 aircraft shot down by a BUK missile while flying over conflict-hit eastern Ukraine on July 14, 2014.

He said Malaysia bore 30 per cent of the trial cost for the case that claimed all 298 passengers and crew members which comprised 43 Malaysians, 193 Dutch nationals and 27 Australians.

“Our reason for spending the money is because this is a Malaysian aircraft, we want to make sure those who committed the offence will be brought to justice,” he said.

The Transport Ministry has allocated RM6.052 billion in Budget 2021, comprising RM1.877 billion or 31 per cent for operating expenditure and RM4.175 billion or 69 per cent for development expenditure.

Wee said the development expenditure was for the implementation of 78 projects, of which 20 were new projects while 58 others were extension projects.

He said the overall allocation increased by 67.5 per cent compared to RM3.614 billion allocated in Budget 2020.