The projects, which are categorised as BP.1 under the ministry, cover the building and repairing of roads, drains, public toilets, multipurpose halls and business premises, among others.
The letter has been widely shared on social media, gaining more attention from the public and the federal opposition.
According to the letter, signed by local government department director-general Abu Bakar Johar, the affected projects had already received approval but have now been cancelled on the directive of the minister Noh Omar.
The letter, dated March 17, also said the minister’s directive was issued first during a BP.1 project allocation coordination meeting on March 6 and later in a meeting session with local council mayors on March 9.
The letter also noted that the department was to provide a list of all the BP.1 projects in 2017 to be handed to BN MPs, prior to a meeting between the MPs and Noh Omar.