KUALA LUMPUR: MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has criticised Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli for misleading the public regarding the development cost of the Central Database Hub (Padu) project.
Wee, in response to Rafizi disputing the RM85.27 million cost, highlighted official responses in Parliament from July, where Rafizi twice provided the figure in written replies to questions from Rantau Panjang MP Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff and Bakri MP Tan Hong Pin.
"YB Rafizi, it is crystal clear that the figure RM85.27 million as the development cost of Padu came directly from you and is now on the official record," said Wee in a posting on his Facebook account.
He questioned Rafizi's claim that the information was incorrect, demanding accountability and accusing him of shifting the blame.
Wee also questioned why, after four months, Rafizi had yet to clarify whether the earlier figure given was inaccurate.
"What's even more baffling is that Rafizi accuses me of making false statements for using the figure RM85.27 million as the development cost of Padu.
"You are the one who answered in writing twice, repeating the RM85.27 million figure, yet in the end, Wee Ka Siong is being blamed?" said Wee.
Wee said Rafizi's actions were an attempt to deflect responsibility onto ministry officers or the media, and urged him to "just admit it" if an error had been made.
"Your status as a minister won't be diminished," Wee said, adding that the ongoing contradictions are causing public confusion.
Wee's remarks come amid mounting scrutiny over Padu's development costs, with calls for clarity intensifying.
Yesterday, he asked Rafizi to retract his claim that he was wrong about Padu's development cost, saying that the latter should also explain the matter in the Dewan Rakyat.
Rafizi has yet to respond to Wee's comments.