SEREMBAN: Jelebu MP Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias' application to use the Petaling community hall could not be approved as it was received too close to the event date, the Negri Sembilan state government says.

       The State Secretary's office said in a statement Monday (March 14) that the application from Jalaluddin, who is also Deputy Federal Territories Minister, was only received by the Jelebu district council on Friday (March 11).

       "For the record, the district council never approved the application (for a Back to School event on Sunday, March 13), which it only received on March 11, in the first place," the statement read.

       "A claim on Facebook by the Jelebu MP on the cancellation of the use of the hall is inaccurate and confusing," it added.

       It said Jalaluddin had raised the issue on the use of halls, open and closed areas, offices and public squares in Negri Sembilan in Parliament on Aug 24, 2020, and was aware of the state government's policy.

       Jalaluddin had said earlier he was disappointed that he was unable to use the hall, which was built during the administration of the previous Barisan Nasional state government.

       He said his office had initially applied to use the D'Sury Hall in Kuala Klawang but was advised to use the Petaling community hall instead.

       "The Jelebu district officer has to explain why our application was rejected at the 11th hour,” he was reported to have said.