Bagan Datuk:Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed hopes that outstanding payments for projects under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) will be settled by the end of this year. Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Rural and Regional Development Minister, emphasized the importance of resolving these payments amicably.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid stated that efforts are underway to ensure that payments for completed projects, which have not yet been settled, including progress payments due to contractors and suppliers, can be made. He assured that funds will be made available to address these outstanding payments.

Ahmad Zahid mentioned that he had explained the situation in Parliament, and the matter was also addressed by the Finance Minister II. He reiterated his hope for a smooth resolution of the payment issues. These comments were made during a press conference following the 2026 Deepavali Santunan Kasih event at the Bagan Datuk UMNO Hall.

The Deputy Prime Minister's remarks were in response to a TikTok video uploaded by his press secretary, Fadzmel Fadzil, which discussed allegations of delayed payments for projects exceeding RM200 million. As of September 30, outstanding interim payments to contractors and compensation to landowners totaled approximately RM259.5 million, involving 112 projects.