SUNGAI PETANI, Jan 1 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari has clarified that the sports complex construction in Kuala Muda is not a new project, as claimed by certain quarters.
He explained that it was not a special allocation he secured after joining the cabinet either, and stressed that there has been no misuse of power in obtaining approval for it.
"This is a project I've been pushing for ever since I first became an MP. It's been announced several times before, and we're now at the stage of actually getting it built.
"The talks about this sports complex actually started back in 2023, right when I attended my first Parliamentary session," he told the crowd at a New Year's Eve event on Jalan Dua last night.
Mohammed Taufiq also mentioned that even before he was an MP, he had met with youth and sports officers to get their input on sports facilities needed by the Kuala Muda district.
"I also raised this issue several times in Parliament, including during a special session addressed by the then Deputy Minister of Works, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, to get an update on the project's progress.
"So, I was simply clarifying the status of an ongoing project, not announcing any new approval," he said.
Recent media reports stated that an RM10 million sports complex will be built in Bandar Puteri Jaya to provide more organised sports facilities for local youth.
Earlier during the event, he led a convoy of about 200 motorcycles to the Tsunami Square in Kota Kuala Muda to mingle with residents and join in community sports activities.
He then visited a mosque in the area to hand over RM45,000 in contributions for infrastructure upgrades and distribute food baskets to those in need.
-- BERNAMA