KUALA LUMPUR:The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in a statement today clarified that the RM35.43 allocation for the Pagoh parliamentary constituency is to build three public halls in the area, and not only one as touted by certain quarters.

"It involves the Gersik Hall in Tangkak worth RM13 million, Bukit Pasir Community Hall, Muar worth RM16.66 million and Bukit Kepong Community Centre, Muar worth RM5.77 million," read the statement

It added that the procurement for the three construction projects to meet the needs of the local community was not done via direct negotiation, but in accordance with the tender process approved by the Ministry of Finance.

According to the statement, the claims which had gone viral are malicious, and the PMO regrets the irresponsible act.

Earlier, several portals uploaded a letter purportedly linked to a public hall construction project, and claimed that the allocation had been approved by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Pagoh MP.

-- BERNAMA