“I don’t understand the government’s need to establish foundations. If existing procedures are preventing the direct delivery of aid to vulnerable groups, then we should change these procedures. Not set up more foundations,” he said.

“We do not want any more 1MDB-like scandals.”

He called upon the finance ministry to list the existing foundations, including relevant details such as their functions, names of their chairmen, and their budget allocations for the year, for the purpose of preventing abuse of government funds.

“I am concerned that these foundations will be used as mediums to channel government funds for political purposes, personal interests, and cronies,” he said.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob launched the Keluarga Malaysia Foundation on Oct 23 to provide aid to children who have been orphaned due to the Covid-19 pandemic until they reach the age of 18.