MALAYSIAN ministers collectively made 236 official overseas visits last year, with the Foreign Affairs Minister leading the list with 39 trips, costing the government a total of RM44 million.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the ministers attended periodic and scheduled meetings involving Malaysia as a member state of various international organisations.
These include the United Nations (UN), Asean, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the World Economic Forum (WEF), and the Developing-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation (D-8).
“The presence of Ministers as representatives of the Government plays a crucial role in demonstrating Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations and its position at the global level.
“Additionally, visits abroad are also part of investment and trade promotion missions aimed at attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to enhance the country’s economy,” she said in a parliamentary written reply to Masjid Tanah MP Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Bersatu).
The Prime Minister made 19 trips, while the Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister undertook 18 followed by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister (15) and the Higher Education Minister (11).
Several ministers made fewer overseas visits, with the Youth and Sports Minister, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, and Federal Territories recording one each.
Dr Zaliha said the expenditure on cabinet ministers' overseas trips adheres to the prescribed procedures while adopting a prudent and effective spending approach.
"Each visit is carefully planned to achieve maximum added value by applying an optimal expenditure rate in line with the government's cost-saving principles," she said.
In response to a separate question, Dr Zaliha said the prime minister visited 31 countries between November 2022 and February 2025, with the government spending RM16 million on the trips. - February 19, 2025
