She told the Dewan Rakyat that Mitra only had RM65 million for 2020, with RM35 million used to pay off debts from programmes implemented previously, when the agency was under the prime minister’s department.

For this year, she said Mitra only had RM49 million at its disposal with RM51 million spent on more debts.

She denied claims making the rounds on social media alleging that she was responsible for the funds allocated to Mitra not reaching its targeted recipients, saying she would issue a statement on the matter.

To optimise Mitra’s funds, she said she formed two committees to evaluate applications for funding made to the agency as well as to monitor the programmes conducted with these allocations.

Both of these committees are chaired by the ministry’s secretary-general and were formed when she was appointed minister.

“I have no power to give any approval to any matters, as was done previously.

“You should ask the previous minister, why did he spend Mitra’s funds to the point that it eats into 2020 and 2020,” Halimah told opposition MPs in her winding-up speech on the 12th Malaysia Plan.

She also said the committees tasked with evaluating and monitoring the distribution of allocations would break down the awarding of funds by states, meaning that there would be no big allocations to just one NGO.

Meanwhile, should a project undertaken be cancelled or agreements not fulfilled, Mitra will retract the funds awarded.

“Give me time to clean up, develop and make Mitra healthy.”